Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from County Championship matches ahead of third Test
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 9:02 AM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures, indicating their likely availability for England's third Test against New Zealand. Both players missed the second Test, pending an investigation into a nightclub incident. Stokes had participated in a match for Durham, while Atkinson played for Surrey before their withdrawals ahead of day three of those matches. The England squad for the third Test has not yet been announced, awaiting the completion of the ongoing second Test at The Oval.
- •Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from County Championship games.
- •Both players missed the second Test due to an investigation.
- •Stokes played for Durham and Atkinson for Surrey before withdrawal.
- •England's squad for the third Test remains unconfirmed.
- •Investigation involves breaching a midnight curfew.
- 9:02 AMYahoo Sports — Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
- 8:53 AMBBC Sport — Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.
"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 21, 2026, 9:02 AMStokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.
- BBC SportJun 21, 2026, 8:53 AMStokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.
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