Ben Stokes Returns For 3rd Test Vs New Zealand As ECB Reveals Result Of Investigation

Ben Stokes will return as captain and will be joined by pacer Gus Atkinson in England’s squad for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge from June 25. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the result of its investigation into their reported altercation in a nightclub after the first Test found the pair ‘breached specific contractual obligations’, and have been ‘given a written warning as to their conduct.’

Stokes and Atkinson were reported to have been involved in an altercation with a 21-year-old Saracens rugby player, Totoa Auvaa, while celebrating the win at Lord’s. Auvaa was said to have thrown a punch at Atkinson and ended up hitting and injuring an ECB security official instead. Both cricketers seemingly broke the ECB’s

midnight curfew rules, which were put in place after several drinking controversies in 2025.

Other reports had claimed that both Stokes and the ECB were considering that the incident should lead to the all-rounder’s sacking from Test leadership. But, in its official statement, the ECB suggested that their suspension from the second Test and the warning would suffice.

“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. 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,” the board said.

The ECB cleared both players of any ‘violent conduct’, saying Atkinson was ‘the victim of unprovoked attacks’ and Stokes was ‘not involved’.

“It was also concluded that no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub,” the board said. “Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion.”

England’s squad for the third Test

Stokes and Atkinson’s return meant omissions for Sonny Baker, James Rew and Josh Tongue.

Squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root and Jamie Smith.