England Take a look at skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes has damaged his silence for the primary time since his suspension following the late-night incident in Chelsea. The England captain posted a short message on social media, backing his teammates and wishing them properly forward of the second Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand.
The second Take a look at of the three-match sequence will start on Thursday, June 17, at The Kia Oval in London. England head into the match with a 1-0 lead after their 115-run victory within the sequence opener at Lord’s. Nevertheless, Stokes will miss the sport as a result of his suspension, with former captain Joe Root set to steer the aspect.
Ben Stokes Breaks Silence for First Time Since Nightclub Controversy
The primary we’ve heard from Ben Stokes since Lord’s
“Go properly this week males. Debutants do what you been doing 🫡” pic.twitter.com/2wg8CloUhq
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 16, 2026
Ben Stokes took to his Instagram story to ship a message of help to the England squad forward of the second Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand. The suspended England captain wished the workforce properly and provided encouragement to the gamers set to make their Take a look at debuts in the course of the match at The Oval.
“Go properly this week males. Debutants do what you been doing,” Stokes wrote on Instagram.
The ECB suspended Ben Stokes and quick bowler Gus Atkinson after they breached the workforce’s curfew on June 8. The disciplinary motion adopted an incident at a Chelsea nightclub involving Saracens rugby participant Totoa Auvaa, throughout which an ECB safety employees member was injured.
Investigations by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator are nonetheless ongoing. With Stokes unavailable, Joe Root will captain England within the second Take a look at. He struggled within the first Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand at Lord’s, scoring 12 runs throughout two innings and returning bowling figures of 1/34 from seven overs.
James Rew Earns Maiden Take a look at Name-Up After Jamie Smith Withdrawal
England made a late change to their taking part in XI forward of the second Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand after Jamie Smith withdrew following the delivery of his second baby. Smith will stay together with his companion and household, whereas James Rew obtained his first Take a look at call-up.
“Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has been known as into the England Males’s XI for the second Rothesay Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand instead of Jamie Smith. Smith has been withdrawn from the Take a look at match following the delivery of his second baby earlier immediately, enabling him to stay together with his companion and household,” the ECB’s assertion learn.
The 22-year-old Somerset wicketkeeper-batter joined the taking part in XI lower than 24 hours earlier than the beginning of the match. Rew has loved a formidable run in home cricket, scoring 11 County Championship centuries for the reason that begin of the 2023 season.
The decision-up continues a memorable interval for the Rew household. James’ youthful brother, Thomas Rew, not too long ago captained England Below-19s to the World Cup remaining and scored his maiden first-class century earlier this week.
England Taking part in XI for The Oval Take a look at
Emilio Homosexual, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (Captain), Harry Brook, James Rew (Wicketkeeper) (Debut), Jordan Cox (Debut), Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matt Fisher, Sonny Baker (Debut)
