Ben Stokes: England Test captain considering future after nightclub incident involving Gus Atkinson and Saracens player | Cricket News

England Test captain Ben Stokes is considering his future after he and Gus Atkinson breached the England team’s new midnight curfew and were at a nightclub when an altercation took place with a Saracens rugby player.

Saracens players were out celebrating their end-of-season party at Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea, where Stokes and Atkinson were also present in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s first Test win over New Zealand.

Sky Sports News understands a Saracens player threw a punch at Atkinson but hit a security guard who was supervising the players.

It’s not clear at this stage whether further punches were thrown.

The ECB security officer is believed to have required stitches, but Stokes and Atkinson were not injured.

It is understood the police are not involved in the incident.

The Daily Telegraph claimed ECB sources told the newspaper that the cricketers were “not the aggressors”.

On Monday the ECB said it was investigating a “breach of team protocols” involving Stokes and Atkinson. England’s players have been expected to adhere to a midnight curfew, among other restrictions, following incidents in New Zealand and during the Ashes last winter. The curfew was still in place on Sunday night.

An ECB statement read: “The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand.

“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 have told Sky Sports News: “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.

“We will make no further comment at this time.”

England wrapped up a 115-run win over the Black Caps at Lord’s on Sunday in their first Test since their Ashes humiliation. Atkinson did much of the damage with second-innings figures of 5-30.

The squad for the second Test, which is live on Sky Sports on June 17, was expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Could Stokes resign? ‘He’s considering his position’

Sky Sports News’ James Cole:

“When the players left Lord’s on Sunday evening it felt like a good moment for English cricket after an awful winter. It felt like a moment to celebrate.

“And they did celebrate – they went on to a pub in Fulham where they met up with the Saracens rugby team, who also were celebrating the end of their season.

“They drank with them in the evening, and some went on to that nightclub in Chelsea where the incident happened.

“Who the aggressor was is almost irrelevant now – because the fact is they broke that curfew.

“Whether they were unfortunate to be involved in the melee is almost irrelevant too – they put themselves in that situation, and by doing so, this situation has escalated.

“Does this make Ben Stokes’ position untenable? That is a question only he can answer.

“Questions around the drinking culture of the team circulated – that’s why they put in this curfew, which has been broken by the captain.

“It’s very embarrassing and very unfortunate [for the ECB]. It was only a few weeks ago that the ECB held an Ashes review. They looked at everything on and off the pitch, and decided that every single person in the hierarchy should keep their job.

“They were asked about the drinking culture and this curfew, and they said that if there was an issue, we’re addressing it, it won’t continue. We will change the culture in the dressing room.

“One test into the summer, and that has been breached. The ECB gave Stokes and McCullum this chance for redemption – and already, they’ve blown it.”

Is there a drinking culture in the England men’s cricket team?

In March, ECB managing director Rob Key insisted the England men’s team “does not have a drinking problem” following an incident involving Harry Brook in New Zealand and a mid-Ashes trip to Noosa.

Brook admitted he was fortunate to keep his England ODI captaincy position after describing his altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international against New Zealand last winter as a “terrible mistake”.

The 26-year-old was issued with a final warning and fined approximately £30,000. He is the current vice captain of the Test side and would be in line to replace Stokes as captain should he miss any upcoming matches.

“I don’t think they have a drinking problem,” Key said. I don’t think it’s fair to put everyone into that bracket. I think the majority of those players are unbelievably diligent and will do whatever they can to try and maximise their potential and play as well as they can for England.

“Like a lot of teams, there’s two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity. What we’re trying to do is try and find that happy medium.

“It’s not about drinking so they can get away from the game. Cricket is different to a lot of other sports, especially international cricket when you are away for the entire year, almost. Even if you’re playing at home, you’re away.”

Ramprakash: Stokes incident ‘hugely damaging for England’

Former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash on Sky News:

“As leader of the side, this is hugely damaging for the England reset after what was a very difficult winter. The England captain’s job has always been a very important job in sport in this country. You do set standards and you have to abide by them.

“I suppose what makes Ben Stokes widely respected is that he is human. He has been through his ups and downs. Being a well-known cricketer at the wrong times can be very difficult.

“The ECB came under huge criticism – and this is part of the reason I thought Rob key and Brendan McCullum were very lucky to keep their jobs – because in the winter, we saw a tour which had a lack of planning and preparation, and it was brutally exposed.

“The culture of the group has also been brutally exposed. Especially when they had their seaside break. I can’t get my head around it – I don’t drink – but when you’re on national duty, representing the country, I don’t get why you have to do these types of things.

“I’m really surprised, because there was so much criticism of what went on in the winter. The optics are so poor when you’re losing and out in public getting frunk. That is not acceptable, and that is why I feel that the cricket regulator need to take action.

“The ECB need to be really clear about what direction they’re going to go in from here.”

Bopara: Stokes retirement would be ‘sad and extreme’

Former England international Ravi Bopara, speaking to Sky Sports:

“I think it’s important that the right process is taken and we don’t jump to any conclusions, because that wouldn’t be fair on Ben [Stokes] or English cricket.

“Ben’s a huge figure for English cricket and with that comes huge responsibility, like any top-level sport or any elite player. Let’s just hope the correct process is taken and then everything comes to a conclusion.

“That [retirement] would be a sad way to go. If it is because of that, then that would be a very sad way to go. I think that would be a little bit extreme.

“If he’s retiring for other reasons, whether he’s had enough of playing cricket or his body can’t handle it, that’s a different story. It would be a shame to see him go on the back of this situation.”

‘It is a surprise that Stokes is involved’

Geraint Hughes, Sky Sports News correspondent:

“There will be disappointment because there’s a huge amount of scrutiny on the England men’s cricket team and the women’s team as well because they represent so much to so many as well.

“A happy medium has to be struck, but there will be disappointment because there have been breaches of acceptable behaviour before and in recent times.

“Ben Stokes has led England on and off the field, ever since he became captain and before. He actually became captain in April 2022 so it’s well over four years. He has been the captain under head coach Brendon McCullum for quite a long time as well.

“He also vowed to turn his life around after he was acquitted in the crown court system in 2018 of affray after a fight near a Bristol nightclub.

“He was a major, integral part of England winning the World Cup at Lord’s in 2019. Who can forget that final against New Zealand? He then became Test captain when Joe Root left that role and for well over four years now he’s been in charge and he’s set exacting standards on the pitch, but also off the pitch as well.

“He’s been very open about his mental health but also his expected high standards, so ‘yes’ it is a surprise that Ben Stokes is involved in this breach of team protocols.”

England vs New Zealand – results and schedule

All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports

• First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runs
• Second Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)
• Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)