England captain Ben Stokes will miss the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, and former captain Joe Root will lead the team in his place. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also been left out of the squad while England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) continues to investigate the nightclub incident in which both were involved. The decision to withdraw the pair comes after Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached England's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning, in an incident in a London nightclub involving members of England's security staff and Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa. England announced their squad on Wednesday that stated that neither player had been made available for selection while their inquiries into the events were on going. In a statement the ECB said: "Given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand." Root Returns to Lead England In the absence of Stokes, England have called on one of their most experienced players of recent times in Joe Root to lead the Test side, for the first time since resigning the role last year. The 35-year-old played 64 Tests as England captain before stepping down to allow Ben Stokes to take the role on and during his time in charge, was one of England's most successful batsmen, and is the country's highest ever Test run-scorer. Ironically England vice-captain Harry Brook will not be considered for the role in which he would usually be next in line and Root will be leading England at The Oval, and possibly beyond. Also Read | Who is Totoa Auvaa? The 6ft 5in Rugby Giant Involved in Ben Stokes' Chelsea Nightclub Altercation Squad Changes and Archer's Return Changes to the England squad have been minimal from the first Test, where they recorded an 115 run win at Lord's. Fast bowler Jofra Archer returns after missing the first Test and Essex batsman Jordan Cox has also been called into the squad. With England having removed Atkinson from the equation after he took 7 wickets in the first Test they may well play both Archer and Anderson, in England's last chance to prove they still have it without Stokes. Without Ben Stokes England have lost their best all-rounder and it will be interesting to see whether England will take an extra batsman, bowler or another all-rounder to make up the numbers. England Squad: Joe Root (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue Investigation Continues ECB investigations into the matter are currently ongoing, but the Cricket Regulator is launching its own investigation that could take some weeks. Despite speculation in the press, Stokes has denied reports he has been told to resign as captain, but Michael Vaughan former England captain thinks Stokes should keep the captaincy. In the Telegraph., Vaughan wrote: "Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offence as England's Test captain? I don't think so. The ECB has to be brave enough and strong enough to do what it thinks is right. If that is to sack him then fine, but I do not agree with that decision on this issue." England now turn their focus on The Oval where Joe Root will captain the team, as they look to seal the series against New Zealand.