The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) investigation into the actions of Stokes and Atkinson continues to be ongoing.
An ECB assertion mentioned: “Given the continued investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson haven’t been made obtainable for choice for the second Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand.”
The Cricket Regulator is conducting a separate investigation, one which may not be concluded for plenty of weeks.
Stokes, 35, has been given time by the ECB so as to take into account his choices. The governing physique has denied any suggestion he has been requested to resign.
The episode is an undesirable controversy for the ECB following a dismal 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia that was dogged by off-field controversy.
The defeat of New Zealand within the first Take a look at at Lord’s a small step in the fitting route, however now England should try to win the collection with out their captain and all-rounder, and a key tempo bowler.
Although Stokes’ poor batting type has come underneath scrutiny, his all-round skills are important to steadiness the XI.
Atkinson, 28, endured a poor winter, but seemed again to someplace close to his greatest with seven wickets within the first Take a look at.
The Surrey man has now surrendered his place within the England group on his residence floor and his absence may imply a return for Archer, who missed the primary Take a look at following his stint on the Indian Premier League.
Relying on circumstances, the perfect alternative for Stokes can be spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who’s retained within the squad after lacking out on the ultimate XI at Lord’s.
It will be robust on Shoaib Bashir – the off-spinner was within the XI at Lord’s and was not required to bowl a ball. If Ahmed replaces Stokes, Bashir would then make means for England to area 4 specialist seamers.
If England determine to switch Stokes with a specialist batter, uncapped James Rew was within the squad for the primary Take a look at.
Essex’s Cox, 25, has been in plenty of England Take a look at squads however is but to make an look. He was on account of make his debut as wicketkeeper on the tour of New Zealand in 2024, solely to endure a damaged thumb within the nets.
Root’s return to the captaincy is an indictment of the scenario the ECB discovered itself in.
It will have been tough to have one captain, Stokes, unavailable for a nightclub incident, solely to switch him with Brook, eight months on from his personal nightclub misdemeanour.
Due to this fact Root will lead England not less than as soon as extra, and maybe even for the third Take a look at at Trent Bridge per week later.
Root’s elevation could possibly be a touch in the direction of an expectation that Stokes will ultimately return to the job.
If Brook had been made captain, there would have been the chance to display the Take a look at group in his picture, particularly with Stokes’ taking part in powers showing to be on the wane.
As a substitute, with Root named as interim captain, there seems to be a path for Stokes to return if he needs.
If the all-rounder misses the remaining Checks in opposition to New Zealand, his comeback could possibly be for the three-Take a look at collection in opposition to Pakistan in August.
