The ECB said on Monday evening that the incident has been referred to the Cricket Regulator and both Stokes and Atkinson look set to miss the second Test, starting at The Oval on June 17, while the investigation takes place. Neither player was hurt in the incident, which is understood to have involved players from Saracens Rugby Club, who were present as part of their end-of-season celebrations, and stemmed from a disagreement between Atkinson and an unnamed academy player.
“The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand,” the ECB’s statement said.
“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.”
Saracens subsequently confirmed that “an academy player connected to [the club]” had been involved in an incident on “Sunday evening”.
England were forced to introduce a midnight curfew for players and staff after their tour to Australia this winter, where their players’ off-field behaviour came under heavy scrutiny, and the timing of the latest incident will embarrass the ECB.
Brook is England’s Test vice-captain, and would ordinarily be expected to lead England in the second Test, in the event that Stokes is left out while the ECB’s investigation takes place.
Stokes revealed last year that he had given up alcohol, but said during his post-match press conference on Sunday afternoon that he was looking forward to sharing “a proper beer with the boys” in the dressing room after England had wrapped up a much-needed win.
“I knew how big this game was in terms of the result and how it was going to be perceived externally if it didn’t go well, but now it’s gone well,” Stokes said. “I probably won’t be real happy and smiling until I get up there and share a proper beer with the boys.”
Stokes’ own career has been punctuated by regular disciplinary issues, most prominently when he was involved in a late-night street-fight after an ODI in Bristol in 2017. He was cleared of affray but was fined and handed a back-dated suspension for bringing the game into disrepute by the ECB’s cricket discipline commission.
Speaking in the wake of the Ashes incidents back in February, Brendon McCullum denied that he ran a “loose ship” as England coach, but reiterated the advice he had given his team when he was first appointed to the role in May 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, denied that the team had “a drinking problem” in the aftermath of the Ashes but conceded: “There’s two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity.”
Key also said that the team curfew would “take that temptation away” from players, while providing details of England’s post-Ashes review. These included a focus on ‘culture and environment’ including “new expectations around team behaviours” and “better individual and collective decision-making”.
England are yet to announce a squad for the second Test.
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo. Matt Roller is a senior correspondent
