England has named an unchanged playing eleven for the second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge with Jack Leach passed fit after the concussion.
Leach missed most of the first Test while chasing after a ball towards the boundary and falling over on his head while trying to save the boundary on the first day of the Test at Lord's, which England went on to win by five wickets. However, the Somerset left-arm spinner has been deemed fit after going through concussion protocols
Lancashire leg spinner Matt Parkinson replaced him as England's first-ever concussion substitute, claiming one wicket on his Test debut.
"Jack Leach continued his seven-day mandatory concussion return-to-play protocol and is fit to play in the match," said the England Cricket Board (ECB) in a release.
Even after England's poor outing with the bat in the Lord's Test, middle-order batter Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope retained their places, while openers Zak Crawley and Alex Lees also remain in the squad.
There were questions over captain Stokes' fitness levels as he bowled just 9.4 overs at Lord's. But, as per Sky Sports, the newly-appointed skipper seemed uncomfortable during his side's training session on Wednesday.
He bowled approximately six to eight balls before pulling out of the nets. Many expected Craig Overton to come in for Jack Leach to provide a seam-bowling option as a cover for Stokes, but an unchanged team indicates the hosts are confident their skipper will be able to fulfil his role with the ball.
Somerset paceman Overton and uncapped Yorkshire batter Harry Brook have been left out once again as England named their team a day ahead of schedule.
While England is unchanged, New Zealand will be forced into at least one change with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme ruled out of the rest of the series with a heel injury he sustained on the third day at Lord's.
Ajaz Patel's place is in some serious doubts as the Kiwi left-arm spinner bowled just two overs in the Lord's Test.
England defeated New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's after taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series. The second Test will be held from June 10 to 14 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
England's playing XI for the Second Test:
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson