England Squad For ENG vs NZ 3rd Test Announced: Ben Stokes Returns As Captain, Gus Atkinson Included
England's Test captain Ben Stokes is back to lead the squad for the crucial third and final Rothesay Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge from June 25-29, 2026. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson is also included, with both players returning after a one-Test suspension for a curfew breach. This decisive match follows New Zealand levelling the series 1-1, setting.
Ben Stokes will return to lead England in the series-deciding third and final Rothesay Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed today. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also been included in the squad, marking the return of both players who were stood down from the second Test at The Oval. Matt Henry Shines As New Zealand Beat England in ENG vs NZ 2nd Test 2026 To Level Series 1–1.
England Name Squad For ENG vs NZ 3rd Test 2026
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included our squad for the third Test against New Zealand.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2026
The announcement comes after New Zealand secured a commanding 253-run victory in the second Test, levelling the three-match series at 1-1. Stokes, 35, and Atkinson, 28, were notably absent from that match, having been benched following a breach of team curfew after England's opening Test win at Lord's.
Squad Reinforcements After Curfew Incident
Both Stokes and Atkinson were withdrawn from their respective County Championship matches on Sunday, a strong indicator of their imminent international recall. Stokes, playing for Durham against Northamptonshire, showcased his form with a blistering 95 runs off 118 balls on Saturday. Meanwhile, Atkinson impressed for Surrey, claiming four wickets against Glamorgan. Their withdrawals were made at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), ahead of the conclusion of their disciplinary hearing. This decisive Test is part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 Points Table Updated
Match Details
The third Rothesay Test is set to be a crucial encounter, with the series hanging in the balance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Rothesay Test series, ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 |
| Match | 3rd Test (Deciding Match) |
| Teams | England vs New Zealand |
| Venue | Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England |
| Dates | Thursday, June 25 – Monday, June 29, 2026 |
| Start Time | 11:00 AM BST (10:00 UTC) each day |
This crucial match promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the series, with England hoping that the return of their talismanic captain and a re-energized attack will secure a home series victory.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2026 08:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
