ENG vs NZ 2nd Test: Captain Ben Stokes dropped from the squad after nightclub controversy, new captain announced

ENG vs NZ 2nd Test: A big controversy has erupted in the England cricket team ahead of the second Test against New Zealand. Regular captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the squad for the upcoming Test match for indiscipline and breaching team protocols. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed former captain Joe Root as the interim captain.

Joe Root will lead the team as Interim Captain at the Kia Oval.

Click below for our 15-player squad for the 2nd Test 📝

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 10, 2026

England announce new captain

The second match of the Test series between England and New Zealand is scheduled to be played at the Oval in London from June 17, where Joe Root will now lead the team. This is the second time that Joe Root will lead the team. Root succeeded Alastair Cook in 2017. He captained in a total of 64 Test matches. However, Joe Root resigned as England's Test captain in April 2022 after poor form and Ashes series defeat. He was replaced by Ben Stokes

What is the whole controversy?

Lord's. According to reports, the two players were at a London nightclub where a scuffle led to a scuffle with the England team's security guard. Considering the gravity of the matter, the ECB has immediately initiated an investigation and declared both the players unavailable for selection till the investigation is completed.

Big changes in England squad

captain Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson has dealt a major blow to England's bowling attack. To overcome this shortcoming, the board has included two leading players in the team. Star fast bowler Jofra Archer has returned to red-ball cricket after a long time. Young batsman Jordan Cox has also been included in the 15-member squad as a backup

England 15-man squad for the second Test:

Joe Root (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Becker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Reeve, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tang.