Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games, poised for England Test return

England's Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are set to be available for the third Test against New Zealand, indicated by their withdrawal from county fixtures. The pair had been unavailable for the ongoing second Test pending an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub. While permitted to play domestic cricket initially, with Stokes representing Durham and Atkinson for Surrey, they have now been withdrawn before the third day of their respective matches. Stokes is expected to captain England again, with Atkinson also likely to feature. The investigations into the players breaching England's midnight curfew after a victory at Lord's are still underway. Official confirmation regarding the investigation's outcome and the squad for the third Test is anticipated following the conclusion of the second Test at The Oval, where England appears headed for a significant defeat.