England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test – Stokes, Atkinson among four changes as England name Trent Bridge XI

England have announced four changes to their XI for the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, beginning on Thursday, including the return of both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson following the incident at a Chelsea nightclub a fortnight ago.

Shoaib Bashir also returns to the starting line-up, with the soaring temperatures in the UK encouraging the recall of England’s frontline spinner, who was omitted for England’s 253-run loss at The Oval, having not bowled a single ball in the series opener at Lord’s.

There is, however, no recall for the Player of the Match in that Lord’s Test, Ollie Robinson, despite being deemed fit for selection after missing the second Test with a knee niggle.

Jamie Smith completes the quartet of returnees, after missing the Oval Test due to the birth of his second child on the eve of the contest. He replaces James Rew, who was cut from England’s 15-man squad after enduring a tough debut in that match.

Speaking shortly before the team was confirmed, Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, acknowledged that the prospect of 38-degree heat on the opening days of the Test would be a challenge to his side.

Of more immediate concern, however, is the projection of team unity after a torrid fortnight for the England squad, in which Stokes’ future as an England cricketer came in for intense speculation, as well as his relationship with the coach.

“They are the moments that your methods and the environment that you’ve created is tested,” McCullum said. “And that’s what you want. Anyone can lead when it’s easy. The true account of a leader or leadership group is to be able to lead when times are difficult.

“I remember talking to Eoin Morgan after 2015 World Cup, and you know how close I am with him. He came to me and asked me ‘what do you think I should do?’ I said ‘tough times don’t last but tough blokes do’. And I think it’s no different – you’ve got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you’re able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there’s some good stuff to come.

“That’s how we approach it, that’s how I approach it, that’s how Ben approaches it. That’s why looking at this week, knowing that the prize is large, it’s exciting. Yes it’s going to be nervous for some people. There are going to be moments in the game where things will happen which will decide the outcome for the game.”

England’s defeat at The Oval means they have lost six of their past eight Tests, dating back to India’s series-levelling win at the same venue in September 2025. McCullum, however, insisted he was more concerned with processes than outcome.

“What will be will be from a results POV,” he said. “We’re desperate to win, but at the time what will be will be. How can we hold our nerves during those moments and have absolute clarity to make the right decisions to give ourselves the best chance? If we do that, then we are a good chance of getting the prize that we want.”

England XI for third Test: 1 Ben Duckett, 2 Emilio Gay, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jamie Smith (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Gus Atkinson, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Shoaib Bashir

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