Joe Root has been named England’s interim Test captain for the second match against New Zealand, which starts at The Oval on 17 June. The move follows the ECB’s ongoing investigation into regular skipper Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson over an off-field incident at a nightclub after England’s victory in the opening Test at Lord’s.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that neither Stokes nor Atkinson has been made available for selection for the Oval fixture while enquiries continue.
Both players are understood to have broken the squad’s midnight curfew, introduced in January after a string of alcohol-related episodes involving England players during winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. They were reportedly at a London nightclub in the early hours of Monday, 8 June. The disturbance is also said to have involved Saracens Rugby Club player Totua Auvaa, who allegedly threw a punch that injured the ECB security officer assigned to accompany Stokes and Atkinson.
England have made two changes for the second Test. Wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox and pace bowler Jofra Archer come into the side in place of Stokes and Atkinson. Archer returns after being rested for the Lord’s match following his Indian Premier League commitments.
England squad for 2nd Test: Joe Root (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
The Oval assignment marks Root’s return to the leadership role more than three years after he stood down in April 2022, when Stokes took charge. Root was preferred ahead of white-ball captain Harry Brook, who served as Test vice-captain on the recent Ashes tour. Brook himself was fined and reprimanded last year after a late-night altercation with a bouncer on the eve of the third ODI against New Zealand.
Root’s Test captaincy record remains the most extensive by any England player. He has led in 64 matches, with 27 wins, 26 defeats, and 11 draws. England currently hold a 1–0 lead in the three-match series after their 115-run win at Lord’s.
With Stokes and Atkinson sidelined and Archer back in the attack, England will look to seal the series at The Oval under a familiar leader — while the ECB works to conclude its investigation into the nightclub episode that has overshadowed the camp.