Stokes apologises to team-mates before Test return
The return of Ben Stokes is one of four changes to England's XI for the third Test.
Ben Stokes has apologised to his team-mates prior to resuming his role as England captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were unavailable for the second Test, which resulted in a 253-run defeat, as they were under investigation for breaching the team's midnight curfew and an incident at a London nightclub following England's victory in the series opener.
Both players have been recalled to the XI for the third Test, commencing on Thursday, after being cleared of "violent conduct" by the Cricket Regulator.
However, a disciplinary hearing conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) determined that they had "breached contractual obligations" and consequently issued them with a written warning.
During Stokes' absence, Joe Root captained the side, with Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, and James Rew making their debuts in a significantly altered team.
"That was one of the first things I had to do as a captain," Stokes said when asked if he had apologised to his team-mates.
"You look at a situation and it affects more than just myself. It affected Joe, it affected the squad, it affects the people outside the playing environment.
"It no doubt had an effect on the lads who were making their debut. That should have been all about them but unfortunately a situation out of their control took precedence over their big day of making their debut for England in Test cricket.
"It would be stupid and naive for me not to acknowledge that and address that. And it's something that you do have to do as someone who's got the responsibility of being a leader within a group.
"It's all fine and well everything being fine and dandy when it's going well, but you need to take responsibility for things as well. If that's you that needs to take that responsibility, you need to be big enough and man enough to be able to take that upon your shoulders, look everyone in the eye, and apologise how you need to apologise. That's what I did."
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