Ben Stokes dropped from England squad as Joe Root named captain

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been omitted from England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand.

The pair broke the team's midnight curfew after they were involved in an incident in a London nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning.

Whilst Stokes' Test future hangs in the balance, the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) have decided to appoint Joe Root as interim captain for the Test at The Oval - and not vice-captain Harry Brook.

It marks an incredible return to captaincy for Root, who skippered the Test side for five years from 2017. Root was Stokes' predecessor after England's all-time leading run-scorer decided to step down from the role following a run of one win in 17 Tests.

Atkinson shone in the first Test against New Zealand with seven wickets, but the 28-year-old has surrendered his place in the squad to Jofra Archer, who returns after playing the 2026 Indian Premier League season in full.

Essex batter Jordan Cox is selected to replace Stokes as England look to build on their 115-run triumph in the first Test at Lord's.

The ECB confirmed their investigation of Stokes and Atkinson was ongoing.

An ECB statement said: "Given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand."

Both Stokes and Atkinson agreed two-year central contracts with the ECB last year which run until 30 ­September 2027.

England squad for second Test vs New Zealand

• Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
• Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
• Jofra Archer (Sussex)
• Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
• Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
• Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
• Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
• Jordan Cox (Essex)
• Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
• Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
• Emilio Gay (Durham)
• James Rew (Somerset)
• Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
• Jamie Smith (Surrey)
• Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)