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League: ICCSport: CricketCountry: EnglandCategory: Scores & Results

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 out of England squad; Joe Root named interim captain
Summary

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.

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Status Watch
  • •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.
Latest Updates
  • 3:20 PMYahoo Sports — Ben Stokes dropped by England for second Test with Joe Root appointed captain
  • 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
What they're saying
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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.”

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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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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.

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