Root appointed interim captain as Stokes and Atkinson omitted from England squad
Joe Root returns to leadership role for second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, while Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson miss out following curfew breach.
Joe Root has been appointed interim captain for England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, following the omission of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson from the squad. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the players are unavailable due to an ongoing investigation into an incident in a London nightclub, where both athletes breached the team’s midnight curfew.
Stokes and Atkinson were present at the venue in the early hours of Monday morning when a member of the team’s security staff was struck by Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa. The ECB stated that the players could not be made available for selection while the inquiry proceeds, though it explicitly denied suggestions that Stokes had been asked to resign.
The decision marks a significant return for Root, who led England in a record 64 Tests between 2017 and 2022. The 35-year-old stepped down after a tenure that ended with one win in 17 matches, before being succeeded by Stokes. Root’s reappointment comes as Harry Brook, the current vice-captain, has been overlooked for the leadership role despite his prominence in the side.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has granted Stokes time to consider his options regarding his future as captain. A separate investigation by the Cricket Regulator is also underway, a process that may take several weeks to conclude. The governing body has maintained that Stokes remains England’s first-choice all-rounder, citing his vital role in balancing the team’s composition.
In squad adjustments, pace bowler Jofra Archer and batter Jordan Cox have been added to the group that secured an 115-run victory in the first Test at Lord’s. With Atkinson’s absence, England faces a selection dilemma in the pace attack, potentially allowing Archer to return after missing the opening match following his stint in the Indian Premier League. Former captain Michael Vaughan has publicly urged the board to retain Stokes, arguing that a curfew breach should not warrant dismissal.
