England's Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games ahead of 3rd Test / Photo: Saeed KHAN - AFP
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England's Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games ahead of 3rd Test
England captain Ben Stokes and Test team-mate Gus Atkinson were both withdrawn from their respective County Championship fixtures on Sunday in what appears to be an indication they will be available to play in next week's series finale against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The pair were dropped from the ongoing second Test at the Oval after breaking a team curfew during an incident in a London nightclub following the hosts' win in the series opener at Lord's.
While Stokes and Atkinson remain under investigation by English cricket authorities they were permitted to play in domestic fixtures, with Stokes turning out for Durham and Atkinson for Surrey in the first two days of Championship matches that started on Friday.
The 35-year-old Stokes enjoyed a lengthy bowling stint before making 95 against Northamptonshire on Saturday, the all-rounder's highest score in any cricket since a century in the fourth Test against India in July of last year.
Fast-medium bowler Atkinson, 28, took four wickets in the first innings of Surrey's game at Glamorgan.
Both players were then withdrawn before day three of those matches, in what is understood to be an attempt to make sure they are fit for the third Test at Trent Bridge starting Thursday.
Investigations into the pair's conduct by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the independent Cricket Regulator have yet to be concluded.
No official confirmation of the outcomes of those investigations, or an England squad for the third Test, is expected until the finish of the second Test at the Oval, where the hosts are facing the prospect of being well-beaten on Sunday's final day of play in south London.
England, missing Stokes and Atkinson, and also without both Ollie Robinson and Jamie Smith due to injury and paternity leave respectively, made five changes to the side that won the first Test by 115 runs.
A hugely inexperienced side, including three debutants, have been outplayed over the first four days by a New Zealand team now on the cusp of levelling this three-match series at 1-1 heading into next week's Nottingham finale.
England fast bowler Josh Tongue, speaking after Saturday's close, said the side had "missed" the inspirational Stokes at the Oval.
"Stokesy is an unbelievable player," said Tongue. "I made my England debut when he was captain. I've got huge respect for Stokesy and it's always nice seeing him get some runs."
O.Norris--AMWN