London, June 10 -- The England cricket team have left out Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson from their squad for next week's second Test against New Zealand at The Kia Oval, with Joe Root set to stand in as captain.

The decision comes as the England and Wales Cricket Board continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident at a Chelsea nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning. Vice-captain Harry Brook has not been handed the leadership role for this match, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Stokes, England's regular skipper, and Atkinson, who starred with a five-wicket haul in the second innings of last week's first Test at Lord's, have been replaced in the 15-man squad by Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox.

Root led the Test team for a r...