Ben Stokes in line to return and CAPTAIN England in third Test – after fears he may have retired from cricket altogether following Chelsea nightclub incident
Ben Stokes could return as England captain for the third Test in Nottingham next week after relations with ECB bosses thaw in recent days.
Sources on Thursday night suggested “things are moving in the right direction” with Stokes, who was ruled out of consideration for the ongoing second Test at the Oval, while he and team-mate Gus Atkinson were investigated for breaching the England team’s midnight curfew after beating New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s.
The Cricket Regulator has completed an investigation into the events at a Chelsea nightclub in the early hours of June 8 that resulted in Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa striking a member of England security staff; Both players involved in the incident were interviewed on Thursday.
The regulator is expected to recommend a retroactive one-match ban; This means both Stokes and Atkinson will be factored into the series finale at Trent Bridge.
The future of Stokes, 35, was uncertain; His impulsiveness shifted from being immediately apologetic to being emotional and angry, triggering the fear that he might withdraw or even withdraw from the game altogether.
But Joe Root’s more conciliatory tone since putting England ahead against the Black Caps in his absence has raised the possibility of him returning to the team at the earliest opportunity, and Daily Mail Sport understands there is no desire within the ECB to strip him of the captaincy.
Ben Stokes could return to captain England in the third test against New Zealand after fears he could retire following the nightclub incident at Chelsea.
Stokes will compete for Durham in their home County Championship match against Northamptonshire from Friday, meaning he potentially faces just two days of rest before resuming his 15-year international career next Thursday.
Neither he nor Atkinson, who will play for Surrey against Glamorgan in the next four days, will be withdrawn by England to speed up their preparations.
