2 hours ago
The England caput coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed Ben Stokes is apt to return arsenic skipper for nan 3rd Test against New Zealand.
Speaking to Sky Sports aft his side’s dense conclusion successful nan 2nd Test was confirmed connected Sunday, McCullum was asked if Stokes’ withdrawal from region duties pinch Durham meant he would return to skipper nan starting XI astatine Trent Bridge.
“Yeah, astatine nan infinitesimal that’s what we’re planning,” McCullum said. “The remainder of nan squad [for nan 3rd Test] will beryllium announced this day erstwhile we’ve told a fewer of nan lads.” Gus Atkinson, who was dropped on pinch Stokes aft breaking a squad curfew, was besides stood down from Surrey’s County Championship crippled connected Sunday.
“I’ve been speaking to Ben each time since nan incident and person evidently been trying to beryllium supportive,” McCullum added. “I deliberation it was awesome he was capable to play cricket this week and get immoderate runs. He looked for illustration he had a spot of pep successful his measurement arsenic well. We cognize a fit, firing Ben Stokes is an plus to each squad successful nan world.”
Earlier connected Sunday, Stokes and Atkinson were withdrawn from nan remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing region matches astatine nan petition of nan England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB].
“Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from nan remainder of Durham’s County Championship lucifer against Northamptonshire astatine nan petition of nan ECB,” a nine connection connected X said. “Colin Ackermann will switch Stokes successful nan Durham 11.”
Neither subordinate was selected for nan 2nd Test aft they collapsed curfew celebrating England’s first Test triumph against New Zealand astatine Lord’s. The interim captain, Joe Root, was past handed an inexperienced broadside who struggled against New Zealand astatine The Oval. Their guidance connected Sunday lasted nether an hr arsenic Matt Henry collected each 5 of England’s remaining wickets.
Stokes opted to play for Durham against Northamptonshire and sent down 25 overs connected Friday earlier hitting a barnstorming 95 successful a convention connected Saturday, successful beforehand of watching nationalist selector Marcus North.
While McCullum had antecedently expressed interest complete Stokes’ authorities of mind, those astatine Chester-le-Street seemed much relaxed, pinch Durham coach Ryan Campbell saying: “All I person seen is nan aforesaid aged Ben Stokes who loves being nan Durham dressing room, who loves being astir a cricket crushed and who hasn’t missed a beat.”
Stokes has been replaced by Colin Ackermann successful nan Durham XI. Atkinson besides performed good successful Surrey’s crippled against Glamorgan astatine Sophia Gardens, taking 4 wickets for 61; he will beryllium replaced successful nan Surrey XI by Tom Lawes.
England’s 3rd Test against New Zealand starts astatine Trent Bridge adjacent Thursday, though nan ECB’s investigation into nan incident involving nan brace is yet to travel to a conclusion.
