ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes to return as England captain for third Test, confirms McCullum

England Test captain Ben Stokes will return to play the third Test against New Zealand, confirmed head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes was ruled out of the second match of the series after breaking the team’s night curfew, following their victory at Lord’s and getting involved in a nightclub incident alongside teammate Gus Atkinson.

In his absence, Joe Root was handed over the leadership duties on an interim basis for the second Test at the Oval. However, England suffered a massive 253-run defeat in Stokes’ absence as New Zealand levelled the series 1-1. Following England’s defeat, Brendon McCullum revealed that Stokes will be back as England captain for the third Test.

"Firstly, Ben will be back, we'll name the squad this afternoon. Ben will be back and be captain. Everyone is excited about that,” McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued written warnings to both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson for their conduct, ahead of their selection back into the team. However, the board concluded that neither player should be held responsible for any violent behaviour at the nightclub.

Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident, while the evidence reviewed by the ECB showed that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion.

Meanwhile, McCullum also revealed that he's been in regular talks with Stokes and expects him to be at the top of his game for the series-decider final Test.

"People will always have difference of opinion, that's the way things are. People read things differently. I've been speaking to Ben every day since we had the incident, obviously trying to be supportive. I think it's great he was able to play this week and get some runs, and hopefully rediscover some of that form. We know that a fit and firing, and performing at optimum level, Ben Stokes is an asset that every team would like," McCullum said on Sky Sports.

Stokes scores 95 for Durham

Stokes and Atkinson were allowed to play for their counties while investigations by the Cricket Regulator and the ECB were conducted. 

Stokes scored 95 playing for Durham against Northamptonshire and also claimed 1 for 80 from 25 overs in the first innings. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson returned figures of 4 for 61 for Surrey against Glamorgan.

Both players were withdrawn ahead of day three of their respective County Championship matches, with Colin Ackermann replacing Stokes and Tom Lawes coming in for Atkinson. The third Test against New Zealand begins on June 25 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

England squad for the third Test: Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.