Ben Stokes will return as captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, confirmed by England head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes was unavailable for the second Test due to an ongoing investigation related to a nightclub incident.
Mentioned in this story
England head coach Brendon McCullum says he is ready to work with Ben Stokes when the captain returns for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were made unavailable for the huge second-Test defeat pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.
The results of the investigation are still to be confirmed, but McCullum has confirmed Stokes will return as captain, a position he has held since 2022, in Nottingham.
"Ben will be back," said McCullum. "He'll be back and he'll be captain."
Following a 4-1 Ashes series defeat that was dogged by off-field problems, both Stokes and McCullum denied their relationship had deteriorated in Australia.
Then, following England's win in the first Test since the Ashes - against New Zealand at Lord's - Stokes broke the team's midnight curfew in celebrating the victory.
On his relationship with Stokes, McCullum told BBC Test Match Special: "You're just trying to make sure you're very communicative right throughout.
"We all got the same ambition, which is to make English cricket a very good team and to try to achieve results on the field, and that hasn't changed."
McCullum said he has spoken to Stokes "every day" since the nightclub incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 8 June.
The New Zealander also confirmed England director of cricket Rob Key has visited Stokes this week.
Figure caption,
Highlights: NZ level series after Henry blows away England on day five
Stokes returned to action for Durham against Northamptonshire in the County Championship and on Saturday struck 95, his highest score in any cricket since last July.
But Stokes and Atkinson, who was playing for Surrey at Glamorgan, were withdrawn from their matches on Sunday in order to be ready to play in the third Test, beginning on Thursday.
McCullum said "everyone is excited" about Stokes' returning "especially after seeing him hit some form for Durham",
"I've been speaking to Ben every single day since we had the incident and my assessment was that I was worried about him," he added.
"To see him go out there and play some cricket and look like he was enjoying himself is really positive.
"I'm not going to divulge our conversations because they are confidential but it's great to see him back playing and I look forward to seeing him in a couple of days."
Figure caption,
'He has been brilliant' - Watch all 11 of Henry's wickets in second Test
When McCullum spoke to the media two days before the second Test at The Oval, he repeatedly spoke of his "worry" and "concern" for Stokes.
Ben Stokes was made unavailable pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.
Ben Stokes will return as captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Brendon McCullum confirmed that Ben Stokes will be back and will resume his role as captain.
Off-field problems, including a 4-1 Ashes series defeat, have affected the team's performance, but both Stokes and McCullum deny any deterioration in their relationship.
Sen. Ruben Gallego has used campaign funds for luxury family outings and childcare expenses, totaling over $18,000 since 2019. His spending includes trips to major cities and Super Bowl tickets, raising concerns about the appropriateness of such expenditures.
UK climate activists worry trial delays may cost them jury rights
Kemi Badenoch attacks Nigel Farage over £5m gift and rules out Tory-Reform pact.
Major disruption on Bedford to Luton rail line after train crash, lasting at least a week.
In response to Ukrainian strikes, Crimea suspends civilian gasoline sales, with casualties reported.
The 2026 World Cup is already breaking records just 10 days in!
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
McCullum then saw an inexperienced England team beaten by 253 runs to leave the series level at 1-1, setting up a decider in Nottingham.
And, speaking after defeat on the final day at The Oval, McCullum said the episode had been an "unwelcome distraction".
McCullum added: "Everyone acknowledges that what unfolded wasn't ideal.
"We're working through that process and we'll get to a stage that when we arrive at Trent Bridge we'll be able to pick from a full squad.
"You've always got to navigate through certain things and this is just another example.
"We'll let this one land a little bit, then start to plot and plan our way towards Trent Bridge. We have the opportunity to win a series against a very good New Zealand side."