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Ben Stokes’ future as England Test captain has been thrown into doubt after the England and Wales Cricket Board launched an investigation into “a breach of team protocol” related to an incident involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson that took place in a London nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning.
Both players have been referred to the Cricket Regulator, an independent disciplinary body with the power to impose suspensions and unlimited fines, and a decision is expected imminently over whether they will be allowed to participate in the second Test against New Zealand that starts at the Oval on 17 June – a squad without them in it could be named as early as Tuesday.
“The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first men’s Test against New Zealand,” a statement read. “Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place. We are currently seeking further information and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course. The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible.”
The incident – which also involved players from Saracens rugby club at their end of season party – occurred in the hours after the first Test against New Zealand concluded at Lord’s, with England sealing a convincing win on the fourth day. “I’m obviously very, very happy that we’ve won,” Stokes said immediately after the game ended. “I probably won’t be real happy and smiling until I get up there and share a proper beer with the boys.”
While not as high-profile as Stokes, Atkinson is also a key member of the squad: the 28-year-old made his debut in July 2024 and in 17 matches since has been England’s leading wicket-taker with 76 – Brydon Carse, who is injured, is second on the list with 58.
The development, particularly given it involves their Test captain, will be a humiliating blow to a set-up attempting to move on from the various missteps that characterised their winter. Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, was involved in an altercation with a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, on the night before an ODI last November, and then compounded that embarrassment by lying about it to the media. Both he and Jacob Bethell, who was also present, were reprimanded by the Cricket Regulator. Brook, as Test vice-captain, now stands to be promoted at least temporarily should Stokes be dropped.
Then the Test side went on a mini-break in the Australian coastal resort of Noosa between the first two Ashes Tests, during which videos of inebriated players circulated widely on social media.
“If it’s true that it became a stag do and people are out drinking all the time excessively, that’s not acceptable,” said Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket. “I don’t agree with a drinking culture. I don’t like a drinking culture.” A review into that incident led to the introduction of a midnight curfew for players while they are on tour.
Team management have attempted to brand this summer as a reset on the pitch – as a reaction to the 4-1 defeat in the Ashes – and off it, with the men’s coach, Brendon McCullum, promising to “use a firm grip” to deal with perceived issues with alcohol within the group.
“From a cultural point of view and a discipline point of view, we need to make sure we’re operating in the manner that we want to and what’s expected of us,” McCullum said at the end of last month. “Playing professional sport is a great career and it’s great fun, but ultimately you’re representing your country and you’ve got some responsibilities and obligations to carry yourself in the right way. So [my job] is to ensure that remains strong and continues to improve.”
Saracens said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening. The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately.”
