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ECB Pulls Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson From County Games as England Prepare for Trent Bridge Recall

The mid-match withdrawals are a clear signal England expect Stokes to resume the captaincy for the third Test with formal disciplinary inquiries still open.

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Cricket - England v New Zealand - First Test - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 7, 2026 England's Ben Stokes celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
England are set to recall Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes for the third Test against New Zealand as the investigations into a curfew breach following the first Test reach their conclusions.
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Overview

  • On Sunday the England and Wales Cricket Board requested Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson be withdrawn from their County Championship matches, a move widely read as preparation for immediate recall to the national side.
  • Head coach Brendon McCullum said he anticipates Stokes will return as England captain for the third Test at Trent Bridge starting June 25, and England will name the rest of the squad after the second Test concludes.
  • Both players were left out of the second Test after breaching the team midnight curfew following England’s Lord’s win and being present during a late-night incident in Chelsea that involved an ECB security liaison officer.
  • Stokes had played for Durham before his removal and scored 95, a performance McCullum cited alongside daily contact with the captain as a factor in preparing him to rejoin the team; Joe Root deputised as captain at The Oval.
  • Parallel investigations by the ECB and the independent Cricket Regulator remain ongoing and unresolved, and their findings will determine any formal sanctions or changes to leadership beyond the immediate selection decision.