New Delhi: England made four changes to their line-up for the third Test of the series against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with skipper Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson returning to the squad. Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir have also been recalled to replace James Lue and Jordan Cox Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker.The changes came after England’s disappointing 253-run defeat in the second Test at The Oval, when a heavily revamped line-up failed to achieve the target of 463 runs. New Zealand’s victory leveled the series at 1-1, creating a winner-take-all ending.After England won the first Test, Stokes and Atkinson broke the team’s midnight curve and therefore missed the second 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 hearing later cleared both players of any violent behavior. The ECB said Stokes was not involved in the altercation, while Atkinson was the victim of an unprovoked attack and did not retaliate. Two players did receive written warnings for violating team conduct rules.Ahead of the Trent Bridge Test, England head coach Brendan McCullum dismissed speculation that his relationship with Stokes had been strained by the controversy.“We discussed this this morning,” McCallum said. “I said, ‘Do you know where the conversation around our relationship has come from over the past six months?’ And he said ‘No, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t know.'”McCallum stressed that the two maintain a close relationship and continue to work effectively together. “have [are] This will be a time when we discuss things, debate things. We always make decisions together…Ben and I are very close. “The coach also reminded players of the responsibility they have to represent England and said high standards on and off the pitch remain an important part of the team’s culture.
