New Delhi: England have made four changes to their playing XI for the third Test series against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson returning to the side. Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir have also been recalled, in place of James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker.The changes come after England’s disappointing 253-run defeat in the second Test at The Oval, where a much-revised series failed to chase down a target of 463. New Zealand’s victory leveled the series at 1-1, setting up the winners.Stokes and Atkinson missed the second Test after breaching the team’s curfew after England’s win in the first Test. The pair were present at an incident involving an ECB security officer and a Saracens rugby player, which led to an investigation.However, a disciplinary tribunal later cleared both players of any violence. The ECB said that Stokes was not involved in the dispute, while Atkinson was the victim of unjustified harassment and did not retaliate. Both players received written warnings for violating team rules.Ahead of the Trent Bridge Test, England coach Brendon McCullum dismissed suggestions that his relationship with Stokes was strained following the row.“We discussed it this morning,” McCullum said. “I said, ‘do you know where this has come from, the conversations about our relationship over the last six months?’ He said ‘no, I don’t know what I’m thinking.’McCullum emphasized that the two remain close and continue to work well together. “There is [are] it will be a time when we discuss things and discuss things. We’ve always made decisions together … Ben and I are tight.”The coach has also reminded the players of the responsibility that comes with representing England, saying that excellence on and off the field remains a big part of the team’s ethos.
