Joe Root named captain, Stokes Atkinson left out of Oval Test

Joe Root has been appointed England's interim captain for the second Test against New Zealand, commencing at The Oval on June 17. Following England's victory in the first Test at Lord's, the ECB is looking into regular captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson for their roles in an incident at a nightclub. Root's appointment comes on the heels of this investigation.

A statement by the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that both Stokes and Atkinson have "not been made available for selection" for the second Test with the investigation still ongoing.

Stokes and Atkinson were reported to have breached the team's midnight curfew, which was instituted in January following a series of alcohol-related incidents involving England's players during their winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. The duo were reportedly at a nightclub in London until the early hours of Monday (June 8). The incident also involved Saracens Rugby Club player Totua Auvaa, who reportedly threw a punch that injured the ECB security officer accompanying Stokes and Atkinson.

For the Oval Test, England has made two substitutions: wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox and pacer Jofra Archer return after being rested from the first Test due to his IPL stint.

The Test at The Oval marks Root's return to captaincy having relinquished his responsibilities in April 2022, before Stokes took over. Root has been chosen ahead of white-ball skipper Harry Brook, who served as England's vice-captain on the Ashes tour. Incidentally, Brook was involved in a confrontation with a bouncer who struck him down the night before the third ODI against New Zealand last year.

Root has led England in 64 Test matches, the most by an Englishman. In those matches, England has won 27 games, lost 26 games, and drawn 11 matches. Following their 115-run victory at Lord's, England currently holds a 1-0 lead over the three-match series.

England squad for 2nd Test : Joe Root (c), 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