Joe Root handed interim captaincy as England announce squad for second Test

England have announced their squad for the second Test against New Zealand, which is set to begin on June 17. Regular captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection, with Joe Root appointed as interim captain for the match.

England have also added Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox to the squad. Archer missed the first Test due to his commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Root previously captained England in a record 64 Tests between 2017 and 2022 and remains the country’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.

Stokes and Atkinson were omitted from the squad after reportedly breaching the team’s midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning. The pair were present when a member of England’s security staff was allegedly struck by Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa.

Although Harry Brook serves as England’s vice-captain, he has been overlooked for the interim captaincy, with Root instead chosen to lead the side.

Jordan Cox has earned another opportunity after previously missing out on a Test debut due to injury. The batter has not featured in a first-class match since September last year but recently represented England Lions in their ODI series against South Africa.

Archer also returns to the squad after missing the Lord’s Test. The fast bowler last appeared in Test cricket during the Ashes series in Australia in December 2025. Archer claimed nine wickets in three matches before being sidelined with a left-side strain.

England will head into the second Test full of confidence after securing victory in the series opener against New Zealand despite challenging weather conditions and a difficult pitch. Ollie Robinson played a pivotal role in the win, claiming a five-wicket haul in the first innings before contributing 29 valuable runs and taking two more wickets in the second innings as England sealed a memorable victory.

England Test Squad for second Test vs New Zealand:

Joe Root (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue

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