Joe Root has been named England’s interim captain for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after Ben Stokes was left out of the squad amid an investigation into an alleged breach of team protocols.

Stokes is under investigation following an incident that allegedly involved breaking the team’s curfew after the first Test.The decision sees Root return to the captaincy role for the first time since stepping down in 2022. The former skipper led England in 64 Test matches between 2017 and 2022 and remains one of the country’s most experienced players.Root’s appointment comes ahead of vice-captain Harry Brook, who had been considered a potential stand-in captain in Stokes’ absence.England will look to continue their momentum against New Zealand in the second Test while the investigation into Stokes continues.