Ben Stokes could return as England captain for third Test against NZ
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 10:10 AM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
Ben Stokes may return as England captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, scheduled for June 25. Stokes, under investigation for a curfew breach alongside Gus Atkinson, has been unavailable for the second Test. An official announcement regarding their return could follow the conclusion of this ongoing match at The Oval. Both players remain eligible for domestic cricket, with Stokes set to play for Durham. Despite speculation over his future, reports indicate a growing possibility of Stokes leading England again.
- •Stokes and Atkinson are under investigation for breaking curfew.
- •Stokes is named in Durham's squad for a County Championship match.
- •Joe Root is captain for the ongoing second Test against New Zealand.
- •Stokes' return would mark a significant moment in his career.
- •The investigation's outcome remains pending.
- 10:10 AMYahoo Sports — Will Ben Stokes play in ENG vs NZ 3rd Test? England captain withdrawn from County game at ECB's request ahead of Trent Bridge Test
- 12:05 PMYahoo Sports — Ben Stokes likely to return as captain for 3rd Test despite ongoing nightclub investigation
- 7:33 PMBBC Sport — Stokes could return as captain for third Test against NZ
"England captain Ben Stokes might return for the third Test against New Zealand as investigations into a nightclub incident near conclusion. Optimism is growing within the team for his comeback. The ECB has cleared him for competitive cricket, with a decision on his immediate future pending the Cricket Regulator's findings.
"Ben Stokes could return as England captain as early as next week for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
"Ben Stokes could return to the England Test team ahead of the third match of the series against New Zealand.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 21, 2026, 10:10 AMWill Ben Stokes play in ENG vs NZ 3rd Test? England captain withdrawn from County game at ECB's request ahead of Trent Bridge Test
Ben Stokes could return to the England Test team ahead of the third match of the series against New Zealand.
- Yahoo SportsJun 19, 2026, 12:05 PMBen Stokes likely to return as captain for 3rd Test despite ongoing nightclub investigation
England captain Ben Stokes might return for the third Test against New Zealand as investigations into a nightclub incident near conclusion. Optimism is growing within the team for his comeback. The ECB has cleared him for competitive cricket, with a decision on his immediate future pending the Cricket Regulator's findings.
- BBC SportJun 18, 2026, 7:33 PMStokes could return as captain for third Test against NZ
Ben Stokes could return as England captain as early as next week for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
- Sky Sports—Stokes expected to return for third Test against New Zealand
Ben Stokes is expected to make a return to the England line-up for the third Test against New Zealand.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
IPL•Oct 18, 2026, 10:42 PM'No satisfaction unless I play for India': Gurjapneet Singh after four-wicket haul against Uttarakhand
Cricket•Oct 18, 2026, 10:05 PMShafali Verma scripts history with ninth 50-plus score as India thrash Zimbabwe to seal T20I series
Cricket•Oct 18, 2026, 4:26 PMBowlers, Shafali, Mandhana power India to series win
Cricket•Oct 18, 2026, 3:24 PM'Sanju Samson plays with emotions': Ex-coach explains why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his chance
ICC T20 World Cup•Oct 18, 2026, 2:50 PM‘Lifetime subscription to pressure’: Ex-India cricketer’s blunt defence of Sanju Samson
Cricket•Oct 18, 2026, 1:14 PMShubman Gill returns to Ranji Trophy, set to play Punjab's next match