ECB Investigating England Cricket Stokes and Atkinson Over Nightclub Incident
6 verified5 unconfirmed
The England and Wales Cricket Board is investigating a “breach of team protocols” involving Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson following an incident at a nightclub. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, after England’s 115-run win over New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday. An ECB statement confirmed both players were present at the nightclub and that the Cricket Regulator has been informed. The investigation comes amid wider scrutiny of the England men’s team’s off-field conduct after previous incidents during the Ashes tour and a separate nightclub altercation involving white-ball captain Harry Brook. A midnight curfew, imposed after those earlier episodes, was reportedly still in place. The ECB said a squad announcement for the second Test at The Oval, beginning June 17, will be made in due course, and the outcome of the investigation could affect player availability.
What’s verified
The ECB is investigating a breach of team protocols involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson after a nightclub incident.
The incident happened in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win over New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.
The ECB statement said the players were present at a nightclub when an incident took place, and the Cricket Regulator has been informed.
A squad announcement for the second Test against New Zealand will be made later.
Atkinson took 5-30 in the second innings of the first Test, which England won by 115 runs.
A midnight curfew was in place for players following previous off-field incidents, including an altercation involving Harry Brook in New Zealand and a mid-Ashes trip to Noosa.
Not yet confirmed
One source quoted Stokes as saying he was “very, very happy” with the win and would not be “really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.”
One source reported that Brook admitted he was “fortunate” to keep his captaincy and was fined approximately £30,000 after his nightclub altercation.
One source noted that Stokes had a frustrating Test with the bat, scoring 12 and a duck, and referenced his 2017 Bristol incident that led to him missing the 2017-18 Ashes.
One source included detailed comments from ECB managing director Rob Key denying a drinking culture and discussing the balance between trust and discipline.
It is not yet known whether Stokes or Atkinson will face any disciplinary action or be omitted from the second Test squad.
Misconceptions
Both sources address whether the England men’s team has a drinking culture. ECB managing director Rob Key has denied the team has a drinking problem, stating that a majority of players are diligent, though a few can be irresponsible with alcohol.
Key figures
Ben Stokes (England Test captain)
Gus Atkinson (England pace bowler)
Harry Brook (England white-ball captain)
Rob Key (ECB managing director)
Richard Gould (ECB chief executive)
Richard Thompson (ECB chairman)
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports
