England Make Four Changes for Oval Test After Stokes and Atkinson Ruled Out

England have made four changes to their XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were ruled unavailable pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub last week. The pair broke the team's midnight curfew while celebrating the opening Test victory over New Zealand at Lord's.

A member of England security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player during the incident.

Joe Root will deputise for Stokes as captain. Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher, and uncapped players Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox have been added to the squad. Head coach Brendon McCullum said the team's priority is supporting Stokes.

"Our concern is with Ben, our concern is handling that situation, making sure we look after him, that he feels supported by us and in communication with us," McCullum said. McCullum declined to comment on Stokes' future as captain. "What will be will be down the line.

Those decisions are not for now," he said. Stokes, 35, has already returned to training and could play for Durham against Northamptonshire in the County Championship on Friday. McCullum said he remains in regular contact with the all-rounder.

Last week, director of cricket Rob Key said he could see no reason why Stokes would not play for England again but stopped short of endorsing him as captain. Stokes was cleared of charges of affray following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017. In 2021, he took a break from cricket to prioritise his mental well-being.