Joe Root to captain England after Stokes and Atkinson ruled out of New Zealand Test

England have named Root as interim captain and recalled Jofra Archer for the second Test against New Zealand, with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson unavailable amid an ongoing investigation.

English cricketer Joe Root in England Test jersey with ECB logo in the background

The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June.

Yorkshire batter Joe Root will lead the team as Interim Captain.

Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer and Essex batter Jordan Cox have been added to the squad.

England Men’s Test Squad:

Joe Root (Yorkshire) – Captain

Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)

Jofra Archer (Sussex)

Sonny Baker (Hampshire)

Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)

Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)

Harry Brook (Yorkshire)

Jordan Cox (Essex)

Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)

Matthew Fisher (Surrey)

Emilio Gay (Durham)

James Rew (Somerset)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Jamie Smith (Surrey)

Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)