Spectre of Stokes hangs over England at The Oval

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Ben Stokes has won 24 of his 42 Tests since he was appointed Test captain in April 2022 By Stephan Shemilt Cricket Correspondent at The Oval Published 3 hours ago Only 166 overs. The Test summer has so far comprised 166 overs of cricket. Not enough to fill two complete days. It has also included Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being made unavailable for a Test, a security guard being punched and Ollie Robinson's international comeback halted by an injury. Kane Williamson , a bona fide all-time great, has retired and England have chosen four debutants in two Tests. Shoaib Bashir was picked, didn't bowl, and has been left out. Devon Conway has flown to New Zealand and back for the birth of his child and will play in the second Test. Jamie Smith's second baby has arrived and he will not . Criticism of the pitch from England's first-Test win at Lord's feels a long time ago. English cricket is never knowingly without a crisis. Dirt in the pocket , Zimbabwe and the Fredalo . Kevin Pietersen being sacked as captain , Kevin Pietersen's text messages and Kevin Pietersen being sacked as a player . Bristol , Wellington and Noosa . This latest one surrounding Stokes rumbles on. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) deny he has been asked to resign as captain, and suggestions the top brass want to force him out are said to be incorrect. Brendon McCullum was sombre in describing his "worry and concern" for Stokes, but Durham coach Ryan Campbell said the all-rounder is in "good spirits". Root to captain game-by-game but is 'envious' of Stokes-McCullum dynamic Published 7 hours ago Stokes in good spirits - Durham boss Campbell Published 11 hours ago McCullum worried for Stokes and tight-lipped over captaincy Published 1 day ago You will have your own views on the rights and wrongs of a grown man being out past the time his employers said he should have been in bed. Maybe that is no longer the main issue preventing Stokes' return. A Test match will once again break out on Wednesday morning. England will win the series if they beat New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval. They have not won a series for 18 months. While much of the conjecture around Stokes has been on his future as captain, England will once again experience the impact of his absence as a player. Without Stokes' all-round abilities, the hosts have had to bolster their batting by bringing in debutant Jordan Cox, and add to their seam bowling with Sonny Baker, meaning Bashir has been jettisoned. With Atkinson also on the naughty step, Robinson injured and Smith on paternity leave it means five changes. The most recent instance England made a quintet of changes between Tests in a home series was the last time they played New Zealand at this ground, a defeat in 1999 that ended with captain Nasser Hussain being booed. There will be similar noises directed towards stand-in skipper Joe Root this week. Not boos, but the low rumble of his name when he walks out t