Ben Stokes out of England squad; Joe Root named interim captain
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 2:27 PM
Last updated Jun 10, 2026
Ben Stokes will not play in England's second Test against New Zealand at The Oval due to an incident in a nightclub. Joe Root has been appointed as interim captain following Stokes' omission from the squad, which was confirmed today. Stokes, along with pacer Gus Atkinson, breached the team's curfew, leading to the disciplinary move. Root returns to leadership after stepping down in 2022, having previously led England in a record 64 Tests. Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox have been added to the squad, which won the first Test at Lord's by 115 runs.
- •Stokes missed due to nightclub incident and curfew breach.
- •Root returns as interim captain after previously stepping down.
- •England won the first Test at Lord's by 115 runs.
- •Gus Atkinson is also omitted from the squad.
- •Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox added to the squad.
- 2:27 PMYahoo Sports — Stokes and Atkinson dropped by England for second test against New Zealand while under investigation
- 2:11 PMYahoo Sports — Stokes out of England squad, Root named captain
- 2:03 PMBBC Sport — Stokes out of England squad, Root named captain
"England captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were dropped Wednesday from the squad for next week’s second cricket test against New Zealand while they are under investigation following an incident in a nightclub. With Stokes unavailable, Joe Root — a former England captain — will lead the team at The Oval for the match that starts June 17. The England & Wales Cricket Board said Stokes and Atkinson “have not been made available for selection.”
"England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching team protocols, with Joe Root taking over as skipper.
"Ben Stokes will miss England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval following an incident in a London nightclub, with Joe Root stepping up as interim captain.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 2:27 PMStokes and Atkinson dropped by England for second test against New Zealand while under investigation
England captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were dropped Wednesday from the squad for next week’s second cricket test against New Zealand while they are under investigation following an incident in a nightclub. With Stokes unavailable, Joe Root — a former England captain — will lead the team at The Oval for the match that starts June 17. The England & Wales Cricket Board said Stokes and Atkinson “have not been made available for selection.”
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 2:11 PMStokes out of England squad, Root named captain
Ben Stokes will miss England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval following an incident in a London nightclub, with Joe Root stepping up as interim captain.
- BBC SportJun 10, 2026, 2:03 PMStokes out of England squad, Root named captain
Ben Stokes will miss England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval following an incident in a London nightclub, with Joe Root stepping up as interim captain.
- Sky Sports—England drop Stokes and Atkinson after nightclub incident as Root made captain
England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching team protocols, with Joe Root taking over as skipper.
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