Ben Stokes withdrawn from Durham after ECB request

Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from Durham’s County Championship match against Northamptonshire after a request from the ECB. The England captain had been dropped from the second New Zealand Test following a Chelsea nightclub incident, and he is set to return t

Ben Stokes walked back into Durham’s dressing-room without playing the next part of the County Championship. The England captain was withdrawn from the rest of Durham’s match against Northamptonshire after a request from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Stokes had been on duty for Durham this weekend after being dropped from the second New Zealand Test following an incident at a nightclub in Chelsea earlier this month. On Saturday. he made an impact with his batting—bowled just five runs off a century—as Durham clawed their way back into the match. Heading into Sunday’s first ball, Durham were still trailing by 148 runs.

For the 11, Stokes is set to be replaced by Colin Ackermann.

The ECB request also extends beyond Stokes. Gus Atkinson—who had been similarly dropped after breaking England’s team curfew with Stokes—has been withdrawn from his Surrey side.

While Stokes and Atkinson remain out of the county game, England are preparing for a major moment at the Oval. Without their captain, New Zealand are set to hand England what has been described as a memorable thumping.

Even with the armband now in different hands, there has been a clear sense of what Stokes brings. Josh Tongue confirmed that Stokes handed over the responsibility to Joe Root. but said the team missed him in south London. Speaking after being told of Stokes’ strong Durham showing. Tongue said: “Stokesy is an unbelievable player.” He added: “I made my England debut when he was captain. I’ve got huge respect for Stokesy and it’s always nice seeing him get some runs.” Tongue continued: “Yeah. we’ve missed him. Obviously we’ve got a lot of leaders in our team as well.”.

In that same moment, Tongue praised Root’s step in. “Rooty stepping in as captain is an unbelievable player and an unbelievable leader as well. It’s been good.”

The ECB has been keeping a close eye on Stokes. Marcus North, the England selector, and Neil Killeen— the ECB’s elite bowling coach—were in the stands watching Stokes’ performance on Friday.

There has been speculation inside England’s set-up about what Stokes might do once he returns next week. including concern that his mental state could lead him to walk away from international cricket altogether. either entirely or with captaincy. The ECB’s decision to recall Stokes ahead of the third Test starting on Thursday. while investigations continue. suggests his form is being treated as something to protect rather than discard.

Those investigations are tied to the sequence that began with England’s decision-making after the first Test and moved into the disruption that followed. Stokes and Atkinson broke curfew after the first Test, before becoming involved in a fracas at Rex Rooms. Totoa Auvaa, a Saracens star, attempted to punch Atkinson, but the 125kg rugby player instead struck an ECB security guard. The incident is described as an argument over seating in the VIP section. Neither player was injured.

England coach Brendon McCullum said he was hit hard by the news. “When I first found out about it, I was slightly bewildered,” he said. “You go from being bewildered. on to angry. on to gutted.” McCullum added: “From the progress which we talked about over the last six months and what we’re trying to do with the side – to hear about this was incredibly gutting.”.

So even as Stokes showed he still has the form that can swing a match—bowled five runs off a century to drag Durham back into it—his place in the next chapter is being controlled from outside the county scene. For England. the captain’s absence now becomes part of the pressure at the Oval. with Root already stepping in and the ECB’s process continuing in parallel with the Tests ahead.

Ben Stokes ECB Durham Northamptonshire County Championship England vs New Zealand third Test Joe Root Gus Atkinson Colin Ackermann Totoa Auvaa Rex Rooms Chelsea nightclub incident