England Cricket

England showed admirable character on day one of the second Test at The Oval, restricting New Zealand to 291-7 despite the off-field chaos surrounding Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell has thrown his full support behind Ben Stokes, insisting the England Test captain is in fine fettle and grafting hard in training after being dropped for the second New Zealand Test.

Sonny Baker endured a bruising introduction to international cricket, but the 92mph Hampshire tearaway says he's learned from those early struggles and is ready to express himself fully in an England shirt.

Joe Root is back at the helm for England's second Test against New Zealand but insists he's taking nothing for granted, while revealing he's long admired what Ben Stokes has built with Brendon McCullum.

James Rew will make his Test debut at The Oval after Jamie Smith stepped away from England's second Test against New Zealand following the arrival of his newborn daughter.

England face further team selection challenges as Ollie Robinson joins Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson on the sidelines for the second Test against New Zealand.

Ben Stokes has returned to Durham training after being dropped from England's second Test following a nightclub curfew breach that has put his captaincy in jeopardy.

Sussex pace bowler Henry Crocombe has earned his first England Test squad call-up as cover for the injured Ollie Robinson ahead of Wednesday's second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

England delivered a clinical bowling performance to take five wickets before lunch on day four, securing victory in the opening Test against New Zealand.

Rob Key is contemplating a complete alcohol ban for England players after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson broke team curfew in London nightclub incident.

Nat Sciver-Brunt's return to form with 57 not out helped England secure a nail-biting five-run victory over India in their final World Cup warm-up.

Ben Stokes has been omitted from England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand following a nightclub incident, with Joe Root making a remarkable return to the captaincy.