Stokes returns…4 players out, England’s playing-11 for the decisive test
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England playing 11 for 3rd test against New Zealand: The England team will enter the third and series-deciding Test match against New Zealand with four changes. Ben Stokes is returning as captain. Apart from them, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith have also returned to the team after missing the second test. The fourth change has come in the form of Shoaib Bashir, who has been included in the playing-11 in place of Soni Baker.
England’s playing 11 announced for the third test against New Zealand.
New Delhi. England has announced its playing-11 for the third and decisive test match of the series against New Zealand. After registering a big win in the first test, England had to face a crushing defeat against New Zealand in the second match, due to which the series was leveled at 1-1. Ben Stokes has returned as captain in the third test and Gus Atkinson has returned. Both these players were dropped from the second match after the first Test for breaking the team’s midnight curfew rules. England have made four changes for the series decider match to be held at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
Apart from Stokes and Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir have been called in the playing-11, who will replace Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker. England’s playing-11 is largely similar to the team that gave England a 1-0 lead at Lord’s. Only Joffra Archer was not there in place of Ollie Robinson in that winning team. After making five changes in the winning team at Lord’s, the changed England team had to struggle in the second Test. Chasing 463 runs, the hosts were all out for 209 runs, allowing New Zealand to level the series.
Stokes-Atkinson was out due to nightclub controversy
Stokes and Atkinson were declared unavailable for the second Test for breaking the team’s midnight curfew following England’s victory in the first match of the series. The two players were present during an argument between an England Cricket Board security staffer and a Saracens rugby player, following which the ECB launched an investigation and disciplinary action.
The hearing found that the players could not be blamed for violent behavior in the nightclub. The ECB said Stokes was not involved in the argument, while Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate. However, both players were given written warnings for violating team conduct rules.
England’s playing 11 for the third test
Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethel, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Joffra Archer, Josh Tong, Shoaib Bashir.
About the Author
Shivam Upadhyay is an emerging sports journalist, who has been working as a sub editor in the country’s prestigious media organization Network 18 Group since November 2025. Cricket is the main area of expertise, but hockey and badminton are also…read more
