Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures on May 23, 2024, signaling their likely availability for England's third Test match against New Zealand. This decision suggests a potential return for Stokes, who has been managing a knee injury, and Atkinson, who was part of England's squad for the preceding T20 series. Both players' absence from domestic duties points towards their integration into the national team's plans for the upcoming Test series. The County Championship games affected include Surrey's match against Somerset and Durham's fixture against Warwickshire. This move is a significant indicator of England's strategic team selections ahead of crucial international engagements.