England playing XI for 3rd Test: Following the conclusion of the investigation into the Chelsea nightclub “incident,” with both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson getting cleared by an independent Cricket Regulator and the ECB, the duo have been named in the England playing XI for the upcoming series-deciding 3rd Test against New Zealand.
The hosts had won the ENG vs NZ 1st Test at Lord’s by 115 runs. But that victory seems a long time ago as for the last two weeks, the ECB had to deal with the implications of Stokes and Atkinson’s apparent involvement in a nightclub scuffle with Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa that eventually left an England security officer needing stitches after being struck.
There were speculations of Stokes’ potential stepping down as the Test skipper, while some even reported that the England all-rounder was mulling over retirement. Amid all this, under interim skipper Joe Root, England endured a 253-run defeat in the 2nd Test at the Kennington Oval as New Zealand levelled the series 1-1.
However, all those talks regarding Stokes’ future have – temporarily – been put to bed when he was named in the squad for the 3rd Test, scheduled to begin on June 25 at Trent Bridge.
The ECB and the Cricket Regulator in a statement said, “There is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred” and “no further action will be taken against either player.”
The board revealed that Stokes wasn’t “involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident,” and evidence was found that “demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion.”
The duo was handed an official written warning for breaching “specific contractual obligations” that required them to “maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket.”
ENG vs NZ: What are the changes England have made to their playing XI for 3rd Test?
England have announced their playing XI for the 3rd Test against New Zealand in Nottingham. Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are back in the side after being cleared by the ECB and Cricket Regulator. Further, wicket-keeper Jamie Smith returns from paternity leave, and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is included in the XI considering the high temperatures in the ongoing English summer.
The four players to drop out from the team that lost the second Test are James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher, and Sonny Baker.
England playing XI for 3rd Test against New Zealand:
Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Jofra Archer
This is almost a similar XI to the one that won the 1st Test, with the exception of Jofra Archer instead of Ollie Robinson. Robinson was the Player of the Match at the Lord’s, and has surprisingly been omitted from the 3rd Test with Josh Tongue retaining his place and Bashir getting a game, having not bowled at all at Lord’s before being dropped for the second Test.
I consider Stokes a good friend: McCullum
Meanwhile, England head coach Brendon McCullum dispelled the rumors that his relationship with Stokes has strained following the drubbing in the Ashes and the recent nightclub incident.
McCullum said, “We talked about that this morning. I said, ‘do you know where this has come from, the conversations around our relationship over the last six months?’ He said ‘no, I have no idea as far as I’m concerned.’
“And I said to him ‘As far as I’m concerned I consider you a good friend and obviously we’ve been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here at English cricket.’ In the end, we both want what’s right and what’s the best for English Cricket and we’re crystal clear on the direction that we want this team to take.”
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