In what comes as massive development, England captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the second Test against New Zealand following their involvement in a nightclub incident. As a result, Joe Root has been appointed the interim captain of the side, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on June 10 (Wednesday).
Who are the replacements?
According to the statement, both Stokes and Atkinson have “not been made available for selection” for The Oval Test, as an investigation is currently ongoing to determine what exactly transpired at the nightclub. Wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, fresh from winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has been named in the squad along with pacer Jofra Archer, who was rested for the first Test.
Root over Brook?
Root returns to lead the side for the first time since giving the job up in 2022, after which Stokes took charge. Harry Brook, who served as Stokes’ deputy during The Ashes, has been overlooked for the role after he ran into trouble with a bouncer in New Zealand.
England lead the three-match Test series 1-0 following their 115-run victory in the low-scoring, rain-affected first Test at Lord’s.
England squad for 2nd Test vs New Zealand: Joe Root (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue
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