Ben Stokes

A stunning individual effort with the ball from Ben Stokes and a magnificent century from Ben Duckett have given England genuine hope in the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

New Zealand dominated the opening day at Trent Bridge, but England snatched two wickets in seven balls late on as Tom Latham and Devon Conway both fell for huge individual scores.

Ben Stokes has spoken candidly about the mounting pressure on his England side ahead of a must-win third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, admitting it's the toughest moment of the Bazball era.

With the series level at 1-1 and Ben Stokes back at the helm, England have run out of excuses heading into a decisive third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Brendon McCullum has moved to quash speculation about his relationship with Ben Stokes, saying the pair are 'good friends' as the England captain returns for the decisive third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Joe Root admits uncertainty surrounds the England captaincy after deputising for Ben Stokes in a chastening 253-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Test.

Michael Vaughan has made a striking claim that figures inside the ECB are actively briefing against Ben Stokes resuming the England Test captaincy, with the curfew incident during the New Zealand series providing the backdrop.

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been cleared of any blame for violent conduct following a nightclub incident, with both men now named in England's squad for the deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Ben Stokes fell agonisingly short of a century for Durham, making 95 against Northamptonshire, while England's hopes in the second Test against New Zealand continued to fade at The Oval.

Ben Stokes appears to be closing in on a return to the England captaincy for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with the ECB investigation into his curfew breach nearing a conclusion.

Ricardo Vasconcelos produced a stunning unbeaten 181 to put Northamptonshire firmly in control against Durham on day one at Banks Homes Riverside, with Ben Stokes' much-anticipated return to county cricket yielding just a single wicket.

Durham chief executive Tim Bostock has pushed back firmly against concerns over Ben Stokes' wellbeing, insisting the England captain is in a positive frame of mind despite the ongoing fallout from a London nightclub incident.