Stokes out of England squad; Root named interim captain

England's star all-rounder Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have been excluded from the squad for the second Test against New Zealand following an incident involving a breach of team curfew. The pair were reportedly present when a member of England's security staff was assaulted outside a London nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning. As a result, Joe Root, who previously captained England in a record 64 Tests, has been appointed interim captain. This marks a significant return to leadership for the veteran batsman. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that both Stokes and Atkinson are unavailable for selection due to an ongoing investigation into their conduct. The Cricket Regulator is also conducting a separate inquiry, which is expected to take several weeks to conclude. The ECB denied any suggestion that Stokes has been asked to resign. This controversy adds to a challenging period for English cricket, following a disappointing Ashes tour. England won the first Test at Lord's by 115 runs and will now aim to secure the series victory without their regular captain and a key bowler. Pace bowler Jofra Archer and batter Jordan Cox have been added to the squad.

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Given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand.