Absent England captain Stokes scores 95 for Durham

England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, was notably absent from the second Test against New Zealand, a match where his team was heading towards a likely defeat. On Saturday, while England struggled at The Oval, Stokes was in action for his county side Durham, scoring a significant 95 runs. His absence from the national side follows an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) into an incident that occurred in a London nightclub after England's victory in the first Test at Lord's.

Stokes, who has captained England's Test team since 2022, has been missed by the squad. At the close of day four at The Oval, England stood at 182-5, chasing a daunting target of 463 runs, which would be a record if achieved. Joe Root has been deputizing as captain in Stokes' stead.

No official decision has yet been announced regarding whether Stokes, 35, will be available for selection for the third Test at Trent Bridge next week, either as captain or as a player. Reports indicate that the ECB is awaiting a report from the Cricket Regulator concerning Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson. Both players reportedly broke team curfew following England's 115-run win in the opening Test. The outcome of this investigation will determine Stokes' immediate future with the national team.