Stokes’ absence as a leader and all-rounder have been noticeable as England head for their third successive defeat in Tests at The Oval.
Chasing a fanciful and world record target of 463, the home side closed Saturday on 182-5 and probably would have been beaten inside four days had it not been for stand-in captain Joe Root’s unbeaten 75.
Without Stokes to balance the team, England have been forced to pick Jordan Cox as a specialist batter at number seven and omitted spinner Shoaib Bashir.
After Ollie Robinson missed the match with an injury and Jamie Smith also sat out on paternity leave, Root was left to lead an England team including three debutants and its fewest combined caps in 17 years.
“Yeah, we’ve missed him,” said Tongue of Stokes. “Obviously we’ve got a lot of leaders in our team as well.
“Rooty stepping in as captain is an unbelievable player and an unbelievable leader as well. It’s been good.”
Stokes and Atkinson broke England’s midnight curfew celebrating the win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s.
The pair were present when a member of security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player.
Both Stokes and Atkinson have been spoken to as part of the investigations and could be available for the third Test at Trent Bridge, starting on Thursday, with Stokes in line to return as captain.
