{"id":183564,"date":"2026-06-21T07:54:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T13:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=183564"},"modified":"2026-06-21T07:54:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T13:24:34","slug":"stokes-to-return-as-england-captain-for-3rd-new-zealand-test-mccullum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=183564","title":{"rendered":"Stokes to return as England captain for 3rd New Zealand Test &#8211; McCullum"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71129347\">en Stokes will return as England captain for next week\u2019s third and deciding Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, England head coach Brendon McCullum announced Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Stokes was stood down from England\u2019s 253-run defeat by New Zealand in the second Test at the Oval for breaching a team curfew following his side\u2019s win in the series opener at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>But McCullum, speaking after his native New Zealand levelled the three-match series on Sunday, said: \u201cBen will be back. He\u2019ll be back as captain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Although absent from England duty in south London, all-rounder Stokes was permitted to play for Durham and the 35-year-old scored 95 against Northamptonshire in the domestic County Championship on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>But on Sunday, before play started, both Stokes and Surrey paceman Gus Atkinson, also dropped by England this week for his part in the curfew breach were both removed from their respective county matches in the clearest sign yet they were being primed for a Test recall next week.<\/p>\n<p>McCullum confirmed Stokes would return as England skipper at Trent Bridge by telling reporters at the Oval: \u201cBen will be back. He\u2019ll be back and he\u2019ll be captain.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think everyone is excited about that, especially after seeing him hit some form for Durham,\u201d former New Zealand captain McCullum added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been speaking to Ben every single day since we had the incident and my assessment was that I was worried about him. To see him go out there and play some cricket and look like he was enjoying himself is really positive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 21, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/ben-stokes-to-return-as-england-captain-in-3rd-test-eng-vs-new-zealand-brendon-mccullum-confirms\/article71129347.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>en Stokes will return as England captain for next week\u2019s third and deciding Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, England head coach Brendon McCullum announced Sunday. Stokes was stood down&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":183565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":182235,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=182235","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":0},"title":"ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes to play County Championship for Durham in England absence","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ben Stokes will play for Durham against Northamptonshire in the County Championship as he sits out of England\u2019s ongoing second Test against New Zealand after being involved in an incident in a nightclub. Full-time Test captain Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped from the England playing XI, with Joe Root\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":180776,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180776","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":1},"title":"McCullum on Stokes after nightclub incident: \u2018I worry for him\u2019","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England coach Brendon McCullum said his initial reaction of bewilderment and anger at Ben Stokes breaching team protocols has given way to \u201cworry and concern\u201d following the nightclub incident that has left his captain\u2019s Test future in the balance. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were dropped from the squad last\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":181368,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=181368","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":2},"title":"ENG vs NZ, 2nd Test: Joe Root says captaincy is on a \u2018game-by-game basis\u2019","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a \u201cgame-by-game basis\u201d after replacing the exiled Ben Stokes for this week\u2019s second Test against New Zealand. With Stokes left out of the squad for the Oval clash after breaking a midnight curfew along with team-mate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":179076,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179076","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":3},"title":"Stokes, Atkinson left out for second New Zealand Test; Root named interim captain","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England Test captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been left out of England\u2019s squad for the second Test of its series against New Zealand. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced it was looking into Stokes and Atkinson\u2019s involvement in a nightclub incident on Monday morning following England\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_433_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_433_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_433_3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_433_3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_433_3.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176191,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176191","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":4},"title":"England aims to erase Ashes scars against New Zealand","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England will have a chance to prove it has learned from its Ashes drubbing when it faces New Zealand in the first Test of its home season at Lord\u2019s on Thursday. The English were swept aside 4-1 in Australia in a series that ended in January, sparking renewed criticism of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AFP_A7QJ8CQ.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":178328,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=178328","url_meta":{"origin":183564,"position":5},"title":"ENG vs NZ: England coach Brendon McCullum \u2018hopeful\u2019 Jofra Archer will be available for second Test","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England could face a tricky decision over Jofra Archer\u2019s return, with coach Brendon McCullum \u201chopeful\u201d that the fast bowler will be available for next week\u2019s second Test against New Zealand. Archer, despite having an England central contract, was not considered for the series opener at Lord\u2019s following a lengthy stint\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-12-20T005335Z_1152495495_UP1ELCK02H903_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ASHES.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-12-20T005335Z_1152495495_UP1ELCK02H903_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ASHES.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-12-20T005335Z_1152495495_UP1ELCK02H903_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ASHES.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-12-20T005335Z_1152495495_UP1ELCK02H903_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ASHES.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-12-20T005335Z_1152495495_UP1ELCK02H903_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ASHES.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-LKI","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=183564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183564\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/183565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=183564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=183564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=183564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}