Stokes and Atkinson Back for England's Trent Bridge Decider

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-24

Ben Stokes is back. England's captain returns for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with head coach Brendon McCullum naming the starting XI two full days before the match. Four changes from the Oval defeat. Stokes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, and Shoaib Bashir come into the side. James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher, and Sonny Baker drop out. ### England's Full XI for Trent Bridge Here's the lineup England will take into the decider: - Ben Duckett - Emilio Gay - Jacob Bethell - Joe Root - Harry Brook - Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper) - Ben Stokes (captain) - Gus Atkinson - Jofra Archer - Josh Tongue - Shoaib Bashir This is a powerful side. It's almost the same group that won at Lord's, with one change: Jofra Archer comes in for Ollie Robinson. That's a team that knows how to win. Now they need to prove they can win the one that matters most. ### Stokes and Atkinson Cleared After ECB Disciplinary Hearing Both players were ruled unavailable for the second Test after breaking the team's midnight curfew. They were reportedly present during an altercation involving an ECB security staff member and a Saracens rugby player at a nightclub following England's Lord's victory. The ECB hearing confirmed no blame for violent conduct should be attached to either player. Stokes wasn't involved in the altercation at all. Atkinson was the victim of an unprovoked attack and didn't retaliate. Both received written warnings for breaching team conduct rules. The Cricket Regulator ran a separate investigation and found insufficient evidence to establish any breach of ECB Cricket Regulations. No further action was taken. ### McCullum Dismisses Talk of a Stokes Rift Questions about the relationship between Stokes and McCullum surfaced publicly during the fallout. The head coach addressed them directly ahead of the decider. "I said to him, 'As far as I'm concerned I consider you a good friend and obviously we've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here at English cricket,'" McCullum said. He was clear. The pair make decisions together and remain aligned on the direction of English cricket. "Ben and I are tight," McCullum added. He also acknowledged that representing England carries responsibilities around conduct. That message was aimed at the wider setup, not just the two players involved. ### Trent Bridge Decider Sets Up a High-Stakes Series Finale England head into Nottingham knowing the 1-0 lead from Lord's now counts for nothing. The series is level. One Test settles it all. New Zealand will take confidence from The Oval. Chasing 463, England were bowled out for 209 and lost by 253 runs. The Kiwi bowlers dismantled England's batting lineup and leveled the series to force this decider. For England, the return of Stokes and a settled XI gives them the platform to close it out on home soil. The only change from the Lord's winning combination is Jofra Archer replacing Ollie Robinson. A side that knows how to win needs to prove they can win the one that matters most. This is what Test cricket is all about. Two teams, one match, everything on the line. Trent Bridge will be rocking.