RICHARD GIBSON: Ben Stokes has been omitted from England's second Test squad against New Zealand with Joe Root taking over as interim captain.

Stokes, 35 last week, was named in a statement released at 6pm on Monday by the ECB as being alongside team-mate Gus Atkinson after the midnight curfew was broken.

Stokes and Gus Atkinson are being investigated by the ECB for a “breach of team protocols” following the first Test win over New Zealand.

The omission of Stokes and Atkinson for the second Test match should be viewed not as a crisis, but as a catalyst

The ECB should ask Joe Root to return as interim leader to try to bring some calm leadership to what has, again, become a very unsteady ship

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…

RICHARD GIBSON: Ben Stokes has been omitted from England's second Test squad against New Zealand with Joe Root taking over as interim captain.

The Test captain reportedly considered quitting England duty after a nightclub incident this week

Stokes and Atkinson are under investigation after an incident in a nightclub

June 10 : 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…

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Pair excluded while investigation continues into 'breach of protocols', with Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox selected in squad for second Test

The pair broke team protocols as they celebrated first Test victory and remain subject to an internal investigation by the ECB

England captain Ben Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the squad for next week's second Test against New Zealand at the Oval, the England and Wales Cricket…

Former captain Joe Root will lead the team at The Oval in his absence

Stokes has been dropped and replaced as captain for next week's showdown at The Oval

Ben Stokes will miss England's second Test after a nightclub incident, with Joe Root stepping in as interim captain following a breach of the team's curfew.

The decision to leave both the English captain and bowler Gus Atkinson off the side comes after a reported nightclub incident following the side's win in the first test.

This episode is an unwanted controversy for the ECB following a dismal 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia that was dogged by off-field issues.

The ECB probe follows a nightclub incident involving rugby player Totoa Auvaa.

The skipper and paceman Gus Atkinson have been left out of the squad for the second Test against New Zealand after breaking a midnight curfew when out celebrating the win at Lord's