Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson investigated by ECB over 'nightclub' incident

LONDON: England captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an alleged breach of team protocols after England’s 115-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test.

The ECB confirmed on Monday evening that it was investigating an undisclosed incident involving Stokes and Atkinson at a nightclub during the early hours of Monday morning.

The governing body suggested both players could face disciplinary action and may be unavailable for the second Test at The Oval, which is scheduled to begin on 17 June.

In an official statement, the ECB said it was examining a breach of team protocols that occurred after the conclusion of the opening Test. The board confirmed that Stokes and Atkinson were present at a nightclub when the incident took place and that further enquiries were ongoing.

The ECB added that the Cricket Regulator had been informed and that an update would be provided in due course, alongside an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test.

England introduced a midnight curfew for players and staff following their tour of Australia earlier this year, where several off-field incidents attracted significant criticism.

During that tour, Harry Brook was fined and reprimanded after a late-night altercation involving a bouncer, while Jacob Bethell received a warning over his conduct. Ben Duckett also faced scrutiny after footage emerged of him appearing intoxicated during a controversial mid-series break in Noosa.

Speaking after England’s victory over New Zealand, Stokes admitted he was eager to celebrate the win with his teammates.

“I knew how important this match was in terms of the result and how it would be perceived externally if things did not go well,” Stokes said. “Now that it has gone well, I probably will not be properly happy until I get upstairs and share a proper beer with the boys.”

Stokes has previously faced disciplinary issues during his international career. The most notable incident occurred in 2017 when he was involved in a late-night street fight in Bristol following an ODI.

Although he was cleared of affray in court, the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission later fined him and imposed a backdated suspension for bringing the game into disrepute.

England head coach Brendon McCullum addressed concerns over player behaviour earlier this year following the Ashes tour incidents. Rejecting suggestions that he runs a relaxed environment, McCullum reiterated the message he has consistently delivered since taking charge in 2022.

"The first thing I said to these boys is 'don't do anything that lands you on the front page of the paper', and 'nothing good happens after midnight', but we're going to have a good time," McCullum said.

"I'm not against making sure these boys are controlled in a manner. It's [about] looking after them to ensure they don't make mistakes," he added.

Rob Key, England's managing director, rejected suggestions that the team had a "drinking problem" in the aftermath of the Ashes, although he acknowledged that "two or three players can be irresponsible with alcohol when given the opportunity."

Key said the team curfew was introduced to remove such temptations and outlined findings from England's post-Ashes review.

The review focused on improving the team's culture and environment, introducing new expectations regarding player behaviour, and encouraging better individual and collective decision-making.

For the unversed, England are yet to announce their squad for the second Test.