Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match
3 min readJun 21, 2026 09:10 PM IST England on Sunday recalled captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson for the third and final Test against New Zealand which is set to start on June 25 in Trent Bridge. The duo were dropped from the team for the second Test due to ECB investigating a nightclub incident involving the two after the 1st Test. “Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in the England Men’s squad for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing in relation to their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June. Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” ECB said in a statement. “In addition to not being considered for selection for the second Rothesay Test, they have both been given a written warning as to their conduct. It was also concluded that …
