Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Ben Stokes dropped from England’s squad has become the major talking point before the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval, with Joe Root called back into the captaincy after an alleged breach of team protocols.

Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have both been left out after celebrating England’s Lord’s victory over New Zealand, with the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Regulator looking into the incident.

For more cricket coverage, read Australia records first ODI loss to Bangladesh in 21 years after Dhaka defeat.

Root Asked To Steady England

Root will lead England on an interim basis, returning to a role he held for five years before stepping down in 2022.

The decision means Harry Brook, England’s Test vice-captain and white-ball captain, has not been asked to front a difficult week for the team.

Brook was involved in a separate nightclub incident on England’s pre-Ashes tour of New Zealand in November and was later fined and warned.

England appear to have chosen Root as the safer option, with his standing in the dressing room and clean disciplinary record giving the side calm leadership before a tense build-up.

Official England squad and fixture updates can be followed through the England and Wales Cricket Board website.

Archer Returns As Atkinson Misses Out

Jofra Archer is back in the squad after a break following the Indian Premier League and is expected to take Atkinson’s place in the attack.

Jordan Cox has also been added and could compete with James Rew and Rehan Ahmed for the spot left by Stokes.

England won the opening Test by 115 runs at Lord’s, but the off-field fallout has quickly shifted attention away from that result.

Stokes remains central to England’s long-term plans, with fears that he could step down as captain or retire from international cricket now easing.

The second Test at the Oval will test England’s depth, but Root’s return as captain gives the hosts an experienced voice while the investigations continue.