England captain Ben Stokes has been spotted training with Durham after being dropped from the England squad for the second Test against New Zealand. The decision comes following a breach of the team's midnight curfew after their first Test victory last weekend. Stokes, along with teammate Gus Atkinson, was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player at a London nightclub on Monday morning. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an independent inquiry into the matter, which will be conducted by the Cricket Regulator.
Stokes has returned to Durham, where he practised at the Riverside during the second day of Durham's County Championship Division Two fixture against Derbyshire. The 35-year-old bowled in the middle before play commenced and later engaged in a batting session in the nets.
This controversy follows a challenging winter tour of Australia, which was similarly overshadowed by off-field issues. England's interim captain, Joe Root, will lead the team in the second Test, while vice-captain Harry Brook has been overlooked in favour of former captain Root.
Meanwhile, Henry Crocombe has been drafted into the England squad as cover for injured fast bowler Ollie Robinson. The uncapped Sussex seamer impressed for England Lions, securing four wickets in the first innings of the unofficial Test against South Africa A in early May.