England captain Stokes and bowler Atkinson out of Oval Test after getting caught in night club controversy, 4 changes in playing 11

By Samira Vishwas On Jun 16, 2026

ENG vs NZ: The second test match between England and New Zealand will be played from June 17. Both the teams will face each other in The Over field. The England team has announced its playing 11 for this match 2 days in advance. Two players have got a chance to make their Test debut for England. Wicketkeeper batsman Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker will make their debut. Let us tell you that after getting involved in the nightclub controversy, captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been ruled out of the Oval Test. Joe Root will captain England in the absence of Ben Stokes.

England made total 4 changes in over test

There have been a total of 4 major changes in the England team for the Oval Test. Star fast bowler Joffra Archer has returned to England’s playing 11. The bowling department of the England team has been strengthened by the return of Jofra Archer in the absence of Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson. Let us tell you that Ollie Robinson is out of this match due to injury. His knee is injured.

England team will field with 4 fast bowlers

In the Oval Test match against New Zealand, the England team will field with 4 fast bowlers. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has also not got a place in the playing 11. 28 year old fast bowler Matthew Fisher has been included in the playing 11. He will play only his second test match. He made his Test debut against West Indies in the year 2022. He bowled brilliantly in the County Championship this season. Now he will get a chance to improve his bowling even further.

Jordan Cox will bat in place of Ben Stokes

Wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox has a chance to debut. He will bat at number 7 in place of captain Ben Stokes. He was selected in the England squad before James Reeve. In fact, when the first Test match was being played between England and New Zealand, Cox was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2026. In his absence, James Reeve was included in the team as backup wicketkeeper. Cox is in great form. Recently, while playing for Essex team in the County Championship, he played an innings of 204 runs in just 201 balls against Leicestershire. Till now he has played 3 ODI and 6 T20 International matches for England. Now Jordan Cox is all set to make his Test debut.

Four changes to our XI, with Test debuts for Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker 👇👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 15, 2026

England’s playing 11 for the second Test against New Zealand: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tong.

What is the nightclub controversy, due to which Stokes and Atkinson were out?

In the Lord’s Test match, England defeated New Zealand by 115 runs. To celebrate this victory, England captain Bess Stokes and Gus Atkinson also reached the nightclub, where a controversy broke out. For this reason both the players got embroiled in controversies. Both these players had also violated the curfew of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), for which they have been punished and had to be out of the second Test. Now it remains to be seen whether the England team succeeds in maintaining its dominance in the second test match or the New Zealand team makes a comeback.

Also read: IND vs AFG: Rohit Sharma will enter the second ODI with the intention of creating history, by scoring just this many runs he will become the number-1 Indian.