LONDON: England captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson have been left out of the squad for next week’s second Test against New Zealand at the Oval, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Wednesday.
The pair are currently facing an ECB investigation for breaching a team curfew following England’s win in the first Test at Lord’s.
Joe Root will act as interim captain in Stokes’ absence.
“The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, in light of the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Rothesay Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June,” an ECB statement said.
“Yorkshire batsman Joe Root will lead the side as interim captain.
“Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer and Essex batsman Jordan Cox have been added to the squad.”
The ECB said on Monday they were investigating Stokes’ involvement in a nightclub incident also involving Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa on Monday morning after England’s 115-run win in the first Test at Lord’s.
It is the latest controversy to hit the England team following the tour of Australia, where the side faced accusations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 loss in the Ashes series.
It is believed that a physical confrontation with Auvaa resulted in a member of ECB security staff being beaten.
The team management decided not to promote vice-captain Harry Brook, instead opting for former skipper Root to lead the side at the Oval.
Brook, already captain of England’s white-ball teams, was fined and convicted for late-night drinking and clashes with a nightclub bouncer before captaining England in a one-day international in Wellington in October – an incident that led to the midnight curfew.
