Ben Stokes likely to return as England captain for third Test vs. New Zealand

The England head coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed Ben Stokes is likely to return as captain for the third Test against New Zealand.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s heavy defeat in the second Test was confirmed on Sunday, McCullum was asked if Stokes’ withdrawal from county duties with Durham meant he would return to captain the starting XI at Trent Bridge.

“Yeah, at the moment that’s what we’re planning,” McCullum said. “The rest of the squad [for the third Test] will be announced this afternoon once we’ve told a few of the lads.” Gus Atkinson, who was dropped along with Stokes after breaking a team curfew, was also stood down from Surrey’s County Championship game on Sunday.

“I’ve been speaking to Ben every day since the incident and have obviously been trying to be supportive,” McCullum added. “I think it was great he was able to play cricket this week and get some runs. He looked like he had a bit of pep in his step as well. We know a fit, firing Ben Stokes is an asset to every team in the world.”

Earlier on Sunday, Stokes and Atkinson were withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing county matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB].

“Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham’s County Championship match against Northamptonshire at the request of the ECB,” a club statement on X said. “Colin Ackermann will replace Stokes in the Durham 11.”

Neither player was selected for the second Test after they broke curfew celebrating England’s first Test win against New Zealand at Lord’s. The interim captain, Joe Root, was then handed an inexperienced side who struggled against New Zealand at The Oval. Their resistance on Sunday lasted under an hour as Matt Henry collected all five of England’s remaining wickets.

Stokes opted to play for Durham against Northamptonshire and sent down 25 overs on Friday before hitting a barnstorming 95 in a session on Saturday, in front of watching national selector Marcus North.

While McCullum had previously expressed concern over Stokes’ state of mind, those at Chester-le-Street seemed more relaxed, with Durham coach Ryan Campbell saying: “All I have seen is the same old Ben Stokes who loves being the Durham dressing room, who loves being around a cricket ground and who hasn’t missed a beat.”

Stokes has been replaced by Colin Ackermann in the Durham XI. Atkinson also performed well in Surrey’s game against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens, taking four wickets for 61; he will be replaced in the Surrey XI by Tom Lawes.

England’s third Test against New Zealand starts at Trent Bridge next Thursday, although the ECB’s investigation into the incident involving the pair is yet to come to a conclusion.