England they reminded Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson against their squad for the third and final Test New Zealand At Trent Bridge, Stokes is also set to resume captaincy after both players missed the previous match due to disciplinary reasons.
The ECB clear Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson of violent conduct but issue written warnings
The pair were unavailable for selection in the second Test after an incident at a London nightclub following England’s series-opening victory. However, after an internal review and disciplinary hearing England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cleared both players of violent conduct while still issuing written warnings for violating the team’s conduct standards.
The governing body confirmed that its investigation found no evidence that Stokes was involved in any physical altercation during the incident at the nightclub. According to the ECB, the English captain neither participated nor witnessed the events in question.
The board also said Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate in either incident. Despite these findings, both cricketers do not meet contractual expectations that require England players to adhere to the highest standards of conduct and uphold the image of the national team.
As a result, the sanction imposed on the duo included written warnings and exclusion from selection for the second Test, a punishment they serve before returning to the national set-up. Both players were expected to be available after pulling out of county commitments ahead of the Trent Bridge clash, suggesting a return was possible once the disciplinary process was completed.
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Brendon McCullum supports Stokes and looks forward to the final of the series
Head coach of the English national team Brendon McCullum He publicly supported Stokes throughout the episode, explaining that while the actions surrounding the incident are disappointing, it’s important to separate the individual from the situation. McCullum revealed he was in regular contact with Stokes to provide support during the investigation and stressed the importance of allowing the official process to take its course before any conclusions are drawn.
Reflecting on the upcoming third Test, the coach said he is eager to move forward and focus on a series win against a strong New Zealand team. He admitted that the past week had been difficult for a few people, but he believed that finishing the series on a high would be a significant achievement.
England also reshuffled their squad after the defeat in the second Test at The Oval. Young people James Rew and Sonny Baker while they were left out Henry Crocombewas drafted into military service as a bodyguard Ollie Robinsonalso released. Goalkeeper-prone Jamie SmithHaving missed the previous Test while on paternity leave, he is expected to return to the playing XI and regain the gloves.
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