The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) investigation into the actions of Stokes and Atkinson is still ongoing.

An ECB statement said: “Given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand.”

The Cricket Regulator is conducting a separate investigation, one that might not be concluded for a number of weeks.

Stokes, 35, has been given time by the ECB in order to consider his options. The governing body has denied any suggestion he has been asked to resign.

The episode is an unwanted controversy for the ECB following a dismal 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia that was dogged by off-field controversy.

The defeat of New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s looked to be a small step in the right direction, but now England will have to attempt to win the series without their captain and all-rounder, and a key pace bowler.

Though Stokes’ poor batting form has come under scrutiny, his all-round abilities are vital to balance the XI.

Atkinson, 28, endured a poor winter, yet looked back to somewhere near his best with seven wickets in the first Test.

The Surrey man has now surrendered his place in the England team on his home ground and his absence could mean a return for Archer, who missed the first Test following his stint at the Indian Premier League.

Depending on conditions, the best replacement for Stokes would be spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who is retained in the squad after missing out on the final XI at Lord’s.

It would be tough on Shoaib Bashir – the off-spinner was in the XI at Lord’s and was not required to bowl a ball. If Ahmed replaces Stokes, Bashir would then make way for England to field four specialist seamers.