Ben Stokes will return as England’s Test captain for his team’s third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge starting Thursday (Jun 25). Stokes and his teammate Gus Atkinson were pulled out of the squad for the second Test amid the ECB’s investigation into their London nightclub episode. The two breached England’s midnight curfew, thus facing the axe. After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-n-2nd-test-2026-matt-henry-bags-11-wickets-as-new-zealand-crush-england-by-253-runs-to-level-series-1782041645814">England conceded the second Test at the Oval by 253 runs</a>, its head coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed talks of fast-tracking Stokes’ return to the playing XI for the series decider and reclaiming the captaincy. In a shocking turn of events, just days after the local media reported that Stokes is contemplating international retirement after the ECB supposedly asked him to relinquish Test captaincy, the veteran all-rounder is on the cusp of a surprise return to the playing XI.&nbsp;Earlier on Sunday (Jun 21), Stokes (Durham) and Atkinson (Surrey) were withdrawn from their respective County Championship games, indicating their recall to the Test side for the Trent Bridge match.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-nz-2026-ben-stokes-gus-atkinson-withdrawn-from-county-championship-games-ahead-of-3rd-test-new-zealand-ecb-investigation-nightclub-brawl-1782038738581">Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in line for shock England recall amid ECB nightclub probe</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, in Stokes and Atkinson’s absence, England played three debutants in the second Test and lost it by a whopping margin. &nbsp;"Yeah, at this stage, that's what we're planning on. The rest of the squad will be out later on this afternoon. It's a quick turnaround, so we need to give guys that consistency of message and deliver it appropriately, but we are anticipating that Ben will be back as captain,” McCullum answers on Stokes’ potential return to cricket.&nbsp; &nbsp;Even though Joe Root led England at the Oval, his interim captaincy tenure seemed to have ended with Stokes’ return as captain looking inevitable.<h3>‘Backing Stokes but chats are private’</h3>Disclosing how he remained in constant touch with Stokes after that incident, McCullum revealed he tried to be supportive of his team captain during this time but denied giving more details about their chats. He, however, sounded elated with Stokes finding some form with the bat, after scoring 95 in his lone outing for Durham against Northamptonshire – his best score in all of cricket since his Test hundred against India last July.&nbsp; &nbsp;"People will always have difference of opinion, that's the way things are. People read things differently. I've been speaking to Ben every day since we had the incident, obviously trying to be supportive. I think it's great he was able to play this week and get some runs, and hopefully rediscover some of that form. We know that a fit and firing, and performing at optimum level, Ben Stokes is an asset that every team would like. &nbsp;"Those conversations with Stokesy, they're private; I won't go into those at all. But people can assess their view of things differently. But I care about Ben and am pleased that he was able to get some game time [for Durham] and a bit of pep in his step as well,” he continued.&nbsp;

Head coach Brendon McCullum confirms plans to fast-track Ben Stokes back as Test captain for England’s high-stakes Trent Bridge decider against New Zealand.

Ben Stokes will return as England’s Test captain for his team’s third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge starting Thursday (Jun 25). Stokes and his teammate Gus Atkinson were pulled out of the squad for the second Test amid the ECB’s investigation into their London nightclub episode. The two breached England’s midnight curfew, thus facing the axe. After England conceded the second Test at the Oval by 253 runs, its head coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed talks of fast-tracking Stokes’ return to the playing XI for the series decider and reclaiming the captaincy. In a shocking turn of events, just days after the local media reported that Stokes is contemplating international retirement after the ECB supposedly asked him to relinquish Test captaincy, the veteran all-rounder is on the cusp of a surprise return to the playing XI. Earlier on Sunday (Jun 21), Stokes (Durham) and Atkinson (Surrey) were withdrawn from their respective County Championship games, indicating their recall to the Test side for the Trent Bridge match. Also read | Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in line for shock England recall amid ECB nightclub probe Meanwhile, in Stokes and Atkinson’s absence, England played three debutants in the second Test and lost it by a whopping margin. "Yeah, at this stage, that's what we're planning on. The rest of the squad will be out later on this afternoon. It's a quick turnaround, so we need to give guys that consistency of message and deliver it appropriately, but we are anticipating that Ben will be back as captain,” McCullum answers on Stokes’ potential return to cricket. Even though Joe Root led England at the Oval, his interim captaincy tenure seemed to have ended with Stokes’ return as captain looking inevitable. ‘Backing Stokes but chats are private’ Disclosing how he remained in constant touch with Stokes after that incident, McCullum revealed he tried to be supportive of his team captain during this time but denied giving more details about their chats. He, however, sounded elated with Stokes finding some form with the bat, after scoring 95 in his lone outing for Durham against Northamptonshire – his best score in all of cricket since his Test hundred against India last July. "People will always have difference of opinion, that's the way things are. People read things differently. I've been speaking to Ben every day since we had the incident, obviously trying to be supportive. I think it's great he was able to play this week and get some runs, and hopefully rediscover some of that form. We know that a fit and firing, and performing at optimum level, Ben Stokes is an asset that every team would like. "Those conversations with Stokesy, they're private; I won't go into those at all. But people can assess their view of things differently. But I care about Ben and am pleased that he was able to get some game time [for Durham] and a bit of pep in his step as well,” he continued.

Head coach Brendon McCullum confirms plans to fast-track Ben Stokes back as Test captain for England’s high-stakes Trent Bridge decider against New Zealand.

ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes to return as captain for final Test, confirms McCullum

England head coach Brendon McCullum sounded 'worried' about his Test mainstay and former captain, Ben Stokes, who missed out on selection for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub incident following England’s win in the Lord’s Test, with the ECB launching a probe into the matter. The two breached the midnight curfew, thus facing temporary suspensions by the board.&nbsp;Even though several reports of Stokes contemplating quitting Test captaincy and international cricket altogether in the aftermath of the late-night incident, also involving Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa, made headlines, his future remains in limbo as England named the final XII for the second Test. &nbsp;Speaking to the media on Monday (Jun 15), McCullum revealed he experienced a range of emotions, from anger to concern, learning about Stokes’ episode in Chelsea.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-nz-2nd-test-oval-england-name-jordan-cox-sonny-baker-in-final-xii-for-second-test-vs-new-zealand-joe-root-to-lead-ben-stokes-gus-atkinson-1781534691830">England name Cox, Baker in final XII for second Test vs New Zealand, Joe Root to lead</a> &nbsp;"When I first found out about it, I was slightly bewildered, if I'm being honest. Then you go through a range of emotions. You go from being bewildered, on to angry, on to kind of gutted," he told reporters on Monday. "But very quickly, my overall emotion turned to worry and concern for Ben in particular. &nbsp;"Since then, it has been about how we support these guys, whilst not overlooking the fact they have not lived up to the standards we have set for ourselves. &nbsp;"For me, it's very much about how we support these guys through the next stage, in particular Ben. That is very much where my mind is at, my worry for him." &nbsp;Meanwhile, McCullum refused to say whether he believes Stokes should remain as captain, after England were also criticised for their off-field behaviour during the tour to New Zealand and Australia. &nbsp;"What will be will be, down the line. Those decisions are not for now. The concern is making sure Ben is fine," he said. "We need to make sure we look after him, rally around him, and in time we'll get on to those sorts of decisions. &nbsp;"For me, I'm just making sure I'm checking in with him. That's where things sit at the moment." &nbsp;Stokes has trained with his English county, Durham, over recent days and could play against Northamptonshire on Friday (Jun 19). But McCullum took a deep breath before answering when quizzed on the wisdom of Stokes returning to action. &nbsp;"I'm worried about Ben. That's it," he said. "I'll leave it at that."&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

England coach Brendon McCullum admits he is deeply "worried" about Ben Stokes' wellbeing as the dropped captain's international future hangs in the balance.

England head coach Brendon McCullum sounded 'worried' about his Test mainstay and former captain, Ben Stokes, who missed out on selection for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub incident following England’s win in the Lord’s Test, with the ECB launching a probe into the matter. The two breached the midnight curfew, thus facing temporary suspensions by the board. Even though several reports of Stokes contemplating quitting Test captaincy and international cricket altogether in the aftermath of the late-night incident, also involving Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa, made headlines, his future remains in limbo as England named the final XII for the second Test. Speaking to the media on Monday (Jun 15), McCullum revealed he experienced a range of emotions, from anger to concern, learning about Stokes’ episode in Chelsea. Also read | England name Cox, Baker in final XII for second Test vs New Zealand, Joe Root to lead "When I first found out about it, I was slightly bewildered, if I'm being honest. Then you go through a range of emotions. You go from being bewildered, on to angry, on to kind of gutted," he told reporters on Monday. "But very quickly, my overall emotion turned to worry and concern for Ben in particular. "Since then, it has been about how we support these guys, whilst not overlooking the fact they have not lived up to the standards we have set for ourselves. "For me, it's very much about how we support these guys through the next stage, in particular Ben. That is very much where my mind is at, my worry for him." Meanwhile, McCullum refused to say whether he believes Stokes should remain as captain, after England were also criticised for their off-field behaviour during the tour to New Zealand and Australia. "What will be will be, down the line. Those decisions are not for now. The concern is making sure Ben is fine," he said. "We need to make sure we look after him, rally around him, and in time we'll get on to those sorts of decisions. "For me, I'm just making sure I'm checking in with him. That's where things sit at the moment." Stokes has trained with his English county, Durham, over recent days and could play against Northamptonshire on Friday (Jun 19). But McCullum took a deep breath before answering when quizzed on the wisdom of Stokes returning to action. "I'm worried about Ben. That's it," he said. "I'll leave it at that." (With inputs from AFP)

England coach Brendon McCullum admits he is deeply "worried" about Ben Stokes' wellbeing as the dropped captain's international future hangs in the balance.

England coach McCullum ‘concerned’ about Ben Stokes’ wellbeing after nightclub episode

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ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes to return as captain for final Test, confirms McCullum

Brendon McCullum ‘concerned’ about Ben Stokes’ wellbeing after nightclub episode