England’s captain Ben Stokes is under a cloud after the ECB opened an investigation into a nightclub incident involving him and fast bowler Gus Atkinson.
What happened
The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of Monday, June 8, after England’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s. The ECB has described it as a breach of team protocols and has referred the matter to the Cricket Regulator, whose investigation is under way.
Neither player was injured, but both are expected to miss the second Test, which begins on June 17 at The Oval. Reports say the altercation involved members of Saracens Rugby Club, who were celebrating the end of their season at the same venue, and that it began between Atkinson and an unnamed academy player before escalating.
In a statement quoted by ESPNcricinfo, the ECB said it was seeking further information and would announce the second-Test squad in due course.
A worrying pattern
The timing is awkward. The ECB introduced a midnight curfew for players and staff after last winter’s Australia tour, where several off-field incidents drew criticism. During the New Zealand tour Harry Brook was fined and reprimanded after a late-night altercation with a nightclub bouncer. In The Ashes, Ben Duckett faced scrutiny over footage of him appearing intoxicated during a break in Noosa, and Jacob Bethell received a warning over his conduct.
If Stokes is ruled out, vice-captain Harry Brook is expected to be the leading candidate to captain England at The Oval.
