Stokes returns to England captaincy for third Test against New Zealand

England captain Ben Stokes and player Gus Atkinson have been included in the squad for the third Test against New Zealand, following a disciplinary hearing. The pair were suspended for the second Test after breaching curfew at a London nightclub after England's first-Test victory.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated that Stokes and Atkinson breached contractual obligations requiring players to maintain the highest standards of conduct. Both received written warnings but were not blamed for any violence that occurred during the incident. Reports indicate Stokes was not present during the violent conduct, and Atkinson faced unprovoked attacks without retaliating.

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Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in the England men's squad for the third Test against New Zealand following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing in relation to their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June.

Joe Root captained England in Stokes's absence during the second Test, which New Zealand won by 253 runs to level the series at 1-1. Stokes recently scored 95 in a county match for Durham. The decisive third Test is scheduled to commence on June 25 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

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Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket.