England’s regular skipper returns for series decider
England welcome back Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson as they name a 15-player squad for the third Test against New Zealand.
England have recalled captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson to their squad for the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, beginning on June 25.
The duo return following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing. Their inclusion strengthens an England squad that will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing defeat at The Oval.
England squad:
Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
Atkinson's return provides a major boost to England's pace attack after his match-winning seven-wicket haul in the Lord's Test victory earlier in the series.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith is also back in the squad after missing selection for the second Test due to paternity leave.
Sonny Baker and James Rew, who both made their Test debuts at The Oval, miss out on the squad. Baker impressed with three wickets across the match, while Rew contributed 39 runs in his first taste of Test cricket.
England's hopes of sealing the series took a major hit at The Oval, where New Zealand produced a complete performance to level the contest.
The visitors dominated large stretches of the match, taking control across days two, three and four before wrapping up a convincing victory.
Matt Henry was the standout performer, claiming a remarkable ten-wicket match haul to earn Player of the Match honours.
The win marked only New Zealand's seventh Test victory over England in England and their third this century, setting up a winner-takes-all finale at Trent Bridge.