June 10, 2026
England captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson have both been left out of the second Test against New Zealand starting next week following an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub, the ECB said on Wednesday.
Former captain Joe Root will lead the team at The Oval in the absence of Stokes.
"The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday June 17."
Stokes and pace bowler Atkinson broke the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning and were reportedly present when a member of England's security staff was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player.
