Ben Stokes: England captain could return for third Test against New Zealand

In a statement released on 8 June, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed Stokes and Atkinson had broken the curfew and are under investigation.

In the aftermath there were fears Stokes would retire, ending a storied England career. Those fears were allayed when he returned to training with Durham last weekend.

And, as part of the investigation, both Stokes and Atkinson have been spoken to this week, with the ECB hoping for a swift resolution.

In addressing the media, neither director of cricket Rob Key nor head coach Brendon McCullum have endorsed Stokes’ future as captain, adding to speculation that his four-year period in the job could come to an end.

Joe Root is deputising as captain for the second Test against New Zealand, and said he would hold the role on a “game-by-game” basis.

Throughout the investigation, the ECB has denied that Stokes has been asked to resign.

And there is now a growing eventuality that he will be back as England captain at Trent Bridge.

A return in Nottingham would represent at full-circle moment for Stokes.

In 2018, Stokes was cleared of charges of affray following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub. After being found not guilty, Stokes played his next Test at Trent Bridge.