Ben Stokes unlikely to feature in England squad for second Test against New Zealand

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Stokes weighing up future following nightclub incident Atkinson also out with Baker and Archer in line to play Joe Root will captain England in next week’s second Test against New Zealand after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were left out of the squad for breaking the team curfew as they celebrated victory in the first game of the series on Sunday night. Stokes, the team’s full-time captain, is being given some time to consider his future after he contributed to the resurfacing of the debate about what is widely perceived as an unprofessional culture within the group. He is reported to have spent Wednesday in meetings with his agent and advisers. Atkinson will also miss the game, which is being played at the Oval, the Surrey seamer’s home ground. Continue reading...

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England captain considering his long-term future ECB continuing investigation into nightclub incident Ben Stokes is highly unlikely to be included in England’s squad for the second Test against New Zealand after the 35-year-old asked for space and time to consider his long-term future amid the fallout from a nightclub incident in the early hours of Monday morning. The England and Wales Cricket Board is determined to bring the latest furore surrounding the culture of the men’s Test team under control before the start of the Women’s World Cup on Friday, with a temporary end to Stokes’s time as captain expected to be confirmed when the squad is announced within the next 48 hours. Continue reading...