Are Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson set for England return? BCE sparks speculation after County withdrawal | Cricket News
Stars of England Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from their ongoing County Championship matches following a request from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), a move which has fueled speculation that both players could return for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge next week.Neither Stokes nor Atkinson played in the second Test after breaching the team’s curfew while celebrating England’s series-opening win at Lord’s. With the stand-in captain Joe Root leading an inexperienced side, England struggled against New Zealand at the Oval and faced a difficult final day.Before being retired, both players had impressed for their accounts. Stokes turned for Durham against Northamptonshire and bowled 25 overs on Friday before smashing 95 runs in an entertaining knock on Saturday. National coach Marcus North was among those watching his performance.Atkinson also made his appearance for Surrey against Glamorgan, claiming four wickets for 61 runs. At the request of the ECB, Stokes was replaced by Colin Ackermann in Durham’s playing XI, while Tom Lawes came in for Atkinson at Surrey.
The questions remain unfinished curfew violation inquiry
Although England coach Brendon McCullum had previously expressed concerns about Stokes’ mentality, Durham coach Ryan Campbell offered a different view. “All I’ve seen is the same old Ben Stokes who loves being in the Durham dressing room, who loves being around a cricket ground and who hasn’t missed a beat,” he added.According to reports in the English media, the ECB is still investigating the violation of the couple’s curfew, and no decision has been announced. Similarly, England’s squad for the third Test has not been confirmed. Any update on the matter is expected only after the conclusion of the second Test at the Oval.Meanwhile, England suffered a 253-run defeat to New Zealand at the Oval, losing momentum from their Lord’s victory as the series remained 1-1 ahead of the decisive third Test in Nottingham.
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