Vaughan urges ECB to decide on Stokes' captaincy

Michael Vaughan, a former captain, has called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to quickly settle the investigation surrounding Ben Stokes' captaincy.

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If he resigns and stands down as captain, absolutely that can happen but if he's not resigning, then if he plays at Trent Bridge then England need Ben Stokes as captain.

Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were excluded from the ongoing second test against New Zealand following an inquiry into an incident at a London nightclub. Joe Root is currently leading the team as interim captain.

Vaughan expressed his views on Stokes' potential return, telling Test Match Special that if Stokes is not resigning, he must captain the side if he plays in the upcoming match at Trent Bridge. "If he resigns and stands down as captain, absolutely that can happen but if he's not resigning, then if he plays at Trent Bridge then England need Ben Stokes as captain," Vaughan said. "They need his leadership, his all-round ability, having an all rounder balances the side."

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They need his leadership, his all-round ability, having an all rounder balances the side.

Stokes and Atkinson reportedly breached the team's midnight curfew after England's victory at Lord's. The Cricket Regulator is also conducting its own investigation.

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If Ben Stokes plays at Trent Bridge then he has to be captain.

New Zealand holds a significant advantage in the second test, leading by 169 runs with four wickets remaining in England's first innings. The third test is scheduled to begin on June 25 at Trent Bridge. "I don't understand why we are in this situation still," Vaughan added. "I want to hear from the ECB publicly that Ben Stokes is the captain, he has done some good stuff for the England side. It's staggering. If they are sacking him then give us a reason why."

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I don't understand why we are in this situation still.