England captain Ben Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the squad for next week's second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday.
The pair are currently the subject of an ECB investigation over an alleged breach of the team's midnight curfew following England's victory in the first Test at Lord's.
Joe Root will captain the side on an interim basis in Stokes's absence.
In a statement, the ECB said: "The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday June 17.
"Yorkshire batter Joe Root will lead the team as interim captain.
"Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer and Essex batter Jordan Cox have been added to the squad."
The ECB announced on Monday that it was investigating Stokes's involvement in a nightclub incident that also involved Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa following England's 115-run victory in the first Test at Lord's.
The latest development adds to a series of off-field controversies involving the England side since their Ashes tour of Australia, where allegations of a drinking culture surfaced during a 4-1 series defeat.
A physical altercation involving Auvaa is understood to have resulted in a member of ECB security staff being struck.
Alongside the ECB inquiry, Stokes and Atkinson remain subject to a separate investigation by the independent Cricket Regulator.
However, the appointment of Root, who captained England before Stokes assumed the role in 2022, indicates that the all-rounder may yet return to the position despite reports suggesting he was considering stepping aside from the captaincy or retiring from international cricket.
The ECB has also avoided a potentially awkward situation by not elevating vice-captain Harry Brook.
Brook, who already captains England's white-ball teams, was previously fined and formally reprimanded after late-night drinking and an altercation with a nightclub bouncer before leading England in a one-day international in Wellington in October. That incident prompted the introduction of the team's midnight curfew.
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer's anticipated return to the squad was confirmed on Wednesday after the fast bowler missed the opening Test of the three-match series due to his Indian Premier League commitments.
Archer is a leading candidate to replace Atkinson in the side, while Jordan Cox could compete with James Rew and Rehan Ahmed for a place in the team.
