England pace bowler Josh Tongue has admitted the team have missed the leadership of absent captain Ben Stokes as they head for a heavy defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. Stokes has been allowed to play county cricket for Durham while pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.
Tongue said Stokes' absence has been noticeable, particularly in the team's batting line-up. 'Yeah, we've missed him,' Tongue said. 'Obviously we've got a lot of leaders in our team as well.' England head coach Brendon McCullum had backed Stokes to return to form with the bat before the nightclub incident.
Stokes' highest score in any cricket since his century for England against India last July was 95 for Durham against Northamptonshire on Saturday. However, he has not been available for the Test at The Oval, joining pace bowler Gus Atkinson who has also been unavailable due to the investigation.
England are struggling to find a balance in their team without Stokes, with stand-in captain Joe Root leading a team including three debutants and their fewest combined caps in 17 years. 'Rooty stepping in as captain is an unbelievable player and an unbelievable leader as well,' Tongue said. 'It's been good.'
The investigation into Stokes and Atkinson's incident is ongoing, with both players set to be available for the third Test at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday. Stokes is in line to return as captain for the match.