#Letakan iklan disini
Cricket Jun 19, 2026

Ben Stokes expected to return for England in third Test against New Zealand

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Ben Stokes expected to return for England in third Test against New Zealand

Ben Stokes is expected to make a return to the England line-up for the third Test against New Zealand.

The all-rounder was ‌left out of the ongoing second Test following ​an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.

That prompted fears he could be stripped of the captaincy, stand down of his own accord or even walk away permanently.

But he is expected to be brought back for the third Test against New Zealand, which starts at Trent Bridge on June 25.

After England's victory in the first Test at Lord's, Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson breached the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning and were reportedly present during an incident involving a member of England's security staff and a Saracens player.

Stokes is expected to feature at Trent Bridge, with twin investigations into the episode hurrying towards a conclusion.

The Cricket Regulator, a separate body from ​the ECB, is also conducting an investigation, the ECB ​have said.

The ECB now feels ready to move ahead and could act swiftly enough to bring Stokes back into the fold in time for next Thursday's clash in Nottingham.

While no firm decisions have yet been taken, it appears a rapprochement is the likeliest outcome.

Stokes' status as captain is another issue to resolve and it is thought ECB management are open to him continuing his four-year reign.

His close friend and predecessor Joe Root stepped back into the breach this week but viewed the role as being on a "game-by-game basis" and would not stand in the way.

In the immediate term, the 35-year-old is set to play for Durham on Friday, having made himself available for the four-day Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Trent Bridge.

The ECB has the power to withdraw him from that fixture at any stage but, even though it is due to conclude on Monday and pre-Test training begins the next morning, is not inclined to do so.

Stokes has made only one public intervention since the episode blew up 11 days ago, wishing England and their three debutants well at the Kia Oval via a brief Instagram message.

Head coach Brendon McCullum appeared to raise concerns over his wellbeing in a pre-Test press conference, where he repeatedly voiced his "worry" and "concern" for the absent skipper.

But Durham's coach Ryan Campbell offered a different perspective after working alongside Stokes in the nets.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Ben knows he made a mistake and broke the curfew, but some of the reaction has been a little over [the top].

"From what I've seen, he's in good spirits, he's back in training, working hard and the rest will take care of itself. Ben is a competitor and he loves to play and he wants to play."

England great Lord Ian Botham earlier suggested Stokes might decide to leave the sport should he be stripped of the captaincy.

"It wouldn't surprise me, if Ben did lose the captaincy, he probably might walk away from the game, but I just don't know," Botham said on the Stick to Cricket podcast, which will be released in full next week.

"To be honest with you, it was an unnecessary procedure and one that I think he will regret."

Botham feels there is no justification for the latest incident of ill-discipline.

"Some people just don't learn, do they?" he added. "Everybody supported him, but I really can't see how you can justify what happened after the game. We used to love going out for a drink, but we weren't quite so obvious."

All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Your Site

Watch the Test series between England and New Zealand live on Your Site Cricket.

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

T20 World Cup: West Indies claim seven-run victory over Scotland in thrilling contest at Headingley

T20 World Cup: West Indies claim seven-run victory over Scotland in thrilling contest at Headingley

The West Indies overcame Scotland by seven runs and stayed unbeaten at the Women's T20 World Cup after a madcap match at Headingley.Scotland needed 15...

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day two: Cricket score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root stands in for captain Ben Stokes at Kia Oval

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day two: Cricket score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root stands in for captain Ben Stokes at Kia Oval

Premier League done deals!All the ins and outs so far...ICYMI: Liverpool willing to pay 86m for Diomande after Munoz signingLiverpool have expressed a...

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day one: Cricket score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root deputises for captain Ben Stokes at Kia Oval

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day one: Cricket score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root deputises for captain Ben Stokes at Kia Oval

Premier League done deals!All the ins and outs so far...ICYMI: Liverpool willing to pay 86m for Diomande after Munoz signingLiverpool have expressed a...

Jacob Bethell claims late New Zealand wickets as England end first day of second Test at The Oval on high

Jacob Bethell claims late New Zealand wickets as England end first day of second Test at The Oval on high

Jacob Bethell and debutant Sonny Baker took two wickets apiece as England reduced New Zealand to 291-7 at stumps on day one of the second Test at the...

England Women's Test squad to face India: Tammy Beaumont returns for inaugural Lord's Test match but no white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean

England Women's Test squad to face India: Tammy Beaumont returns for inaugural Lord's Test match but no white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean

Tammy Beaumont returns for England's inaugural Lord's Test match against India this July after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, but there is...

Jofra Archer: England fast bowler's fiery spell to Glenn Phillips lights up The Oval on day one of second Test

Jofra Archer: England fast bowler's fiery spell to Glenn Phillips lights up The Oval on day one of second Test

Jofra Archer showed no signs of rust as he made his England Test return, the pacer producing a box-office, fiery eight-over spell of short-pitched bow...