• Source:JND

England head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed that Ben Stokes will return as captain for the third and final Test against New Zealand, which will take place from June 25 to 29 June in West Bridgford.

The confirmation came shortly after the ECB withdrew Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson from their ongoing County Championship matches on Sunday. The move was widely seen as a sign that both players were set to return to the England squad after missing the second Test due to disciplinary issues.

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Speaking after England’s humiliating 253-run defeat at The Oval, McCullum said the team was looking forward to having Stokes back in charge. He added that the squad for the third Test would be announced later in the day.

Stokes’ return means Joe Root will hand over the captaincy after leading the side in the second Test. It was a difficult week for England, both on and off the field, and the team will hope the return of its regular skipper brings some stability ahead of the series decider.

Why was Stokes removed from England squad?

Stokes and Atkinson were left out of the second Test following an incident after England’s win in the opening match. The pair breached team curfew by visiting a nightclub in Chelsea, where an altercation reportedly took place involving an ECB security liaison officer.

Although investigations by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator have now been completed, the findings have not been made public. During the process, both players were allowed to continue playing county cricket.

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How Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes perform in County?

Before being withdrawn from their county games, both cricketers showed encouraging form. Playing for Durham, Stokes scored an impressive 95 and bowled 25 overs. Atkinson, representing Surrey, picked up four wickets for 61 runs. They were later replaced by Colin Ackermann and Tom Lawes in their respective county teams.

England’s players will regroup at Trent Bridge on Tuesday to begin preparations for the third Test, which starts on Thursday.

In recent days, there had also been speculation about Stokes’ future, with reports suggesting he was considering retirement from cricket. McCullum had publicly spoken about concerns regarding his captain’s well-being, but Durham chief executive Tim Bostock dismissed those worries and insisted Stokes was doing well.

McCullum, however, remained confident throughout.

“Ben will be back,” he said. “He’ll be back and he’ll be captain.”

McCullum on Ben Stokes criticism

Addressing the differing opinions around Stokes’ situation, McCullum said it was normal for people to view things differently. He revealed that he had been speaking to Stokes every day since the nightclub incident and had continued to offer his support.

The England coach said it was important for Stokes to get back on the field for Durham, score runs and regain confidence. According to McCullum, a fully fit and motivated Stokes remains one of England’s most important players.

While refusing to reveal details of their private conversations, McCullum stressed that player welfare remained his top priority. He said he was pleased to see Stokes enjoying his cricket again and showing positive energy on the field.

Speaking about the disciplinary matter, McCullum admitted he was disappointed by the curfew breach and said the players had fallen short of the standards expected within the England setup.


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