Ben Stokes returns to lead England against New Zealand in Test series

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 3:51 PM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Ben Stokes returns to lead England against New Zealand in Test series
Summary

Ben Stokes is set to captain England at Trent Bridge in the upcoming Test against New Zealand, following an investigation into a breach of team conduct. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson will return after being absent during the second Test due to internal issues, including an altercation involving Atkinson. The England management, including head coach Brendon McCullum, faces scrutiny over the handling of player standards and disciplinary measures. England seeks to recover from a heavy defeat by New Zealand at the Oval, with Stokes expected to play a central role following his return to action post-incident.

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Status Watch
  • Stokes returns to captain England at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
  • An investigation reviewed a breach of conduct rules involving Stokes and Atkinson.
  • England lost the second Test to New Zealand at the Oval in under 50 minutes.
  • Confusion over curfew rules contributed to the disciplinary issues.
  • England's management faces challenges in enforcing team standards.
Latest Updates
  • 3:51 PMYahoo SportsBen Stokes is back – but England’s sorry situation just got even messier
What they're saying
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Ben Stokes will return to captain England at Trent Bridge – but can he, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key still present a united front?

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