Ben Stokes will return to captain England for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge with Gus Atkinson also back after both players missed the 253-run thumping at The Oval following a nightclub incident. Stokes and Atkinson were made unavailable for the second Test following an episode in the early hours the day after England’s 115-run victory at Lord’s, with an investigation launched. The ECB said on Sunday afternoon that “no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at
the nightclub”, with Atkinson the “victim of an unproved attacks and did not retaliate”. England thrashed by 253 runs as New Zealand level Test series Scorecard: England vs New Zealand, second Test, The OvalGot Sky? Watch England vs NZ live on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Get instant access with NOW – no contract The pair broke a midnight curfew that had been introduced after drinking incidents plagued the team’s winter tours, including Harry Brook being punched by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.
Stokes and Atkinson did play county cricket this week, for Durham and Surrey respectively, but were withdrawn from the final two days of their games ahead of their potential England comebacks. Stokes smashed 95 off 118 balls against Northamptonshire, while Atkinson – who took a five-wicket haul for England against New Zealand at Lord’s – struck four times for Surrey against Glamorgan. Joe Root captained England at The Oval, where Stokes and Atkinson’s absence from the bowling unit – as well that of Ollie Robinson
(knee injury) – was keenly felt as a youthful attack toiled. More to follow. Watch the third Test between England and New Zealand, at Trent Bridge, live from 10am on Thursday (11am first ball) on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Get instant access with NOW – no contract. England vs New Zealand results and schedule All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – New Zealand
won by 253 runsThird Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, England vs New Zealand, third Test, Trent Bridge, nightclub incident, ECB, The Oval, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Robinson, county cricket
So they missed a test over a nightclub thing and now they’re back? That seems wild.
“No blame should be attached” but they still “broke a midnight curfew” like… okay so which is it? Either way they should’ve been suspended longer.
Wait Atkinson was the victim and didn’t retaliate… so why is everyone acting like it’s on him? Also Trent Bridge = curse continues? Idk I’m confused.
I don’t even watch cricket but this Brook getting punched by a bouncer keeps popping up. If the ECB keeps saying nobody’s at fault then they’re basically admitting it’s fine to go out and cause drama the night before a Test??