Nightclub Gate: Joe Root handed captaincy with Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson not noted of the Oval Check vs New Zealand

The Check at The Oval marks Root’s return to captaincy having relinquished his tasks in April 2022, earlier than Stokes took over. Root has been chosen forward of white-ball skipper Harry Brook, who served as England’s vice-captain on the Ashes tour. By the way, Brook was concerned in a confrontation with a bouncer who struck him down the evening earlier than the third ODI in opposition to New Zealand final 12 months.