England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were on Wednesday dropped from the 15-member squad for the second Test against New Zealand due the ongoing investigation into their alleged involvement in a nightclub incident, the country's cricket board said. Senior batter Joe Root was named interim captain in place of Stokes. The second Test will played at The Oval here from June 17-21.

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday captain Ben Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson are being investigated for breaking team rules in a nightclub incident after the first Test against New Zealand. It is the latest controversy concerning the England team following a tour of Australia where the side was confronted with allegations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 Ashes series loss concluded in January. “The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand,” the governing body said.