Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson: ECB investigating a ‘breach of team protocols’ involving England internationals | Cricket News

The ECB is investigating a “breach of team protocols” involving England men’s Test captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson following an incident at a nightclub.

In January, ECB chief executive Richard Gould said England players would be subjected to a midnight curfew, among other restrictions, following incidents in New Zealand and during the Ashes last winter.

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.”

England wrapped up a 115-run win over the Black Caps at Lord’s on Sunday in their first Test since their Ashes humiliation.

England captain Stokes steered his side to victory, despite expressing frustration over the standard of the Lord’s pitch, while Atkinson did much of the damage with second-innings figures of 5-30.

Is there a drinking culture?

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, the current Test vice-captain and white-ball skipper, admitted he was fortunate to keep his 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.

“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.”

Key continued: “The stress, the scrutiny on these multi-format players is tough. So, can we be better? Do we need to keep evolving? I think the game does, to be honest, and that’s not a problem I’m going to be able to solve on my own. We need to be able to create opportunities and situations where these players can make the right decisions.

“We can take away the temptation, but as I said, it’s finding that sweet spot in the middle. Because you go too hard on them, like your kids, then they rebel one way. For the most part, this team, we try to trust them as much as we can and they’ve made good decisions.

“The Harry Brook-Wellington incident clearly hit us hard and no more so than Harry in particular. He’s not the first person, he probably won’t be the last either to do that, but I’m hoping that will be the making of him. Going back to that decision, a lot of the stuff that I’ve read and seen, we’ve spoken about, we debated all of those things.

“We believe that Harry Brook made a horrendous mistake, but he came to us – and Harry up to that point had a pretty clean slate. Before any of this Wellington business came about, Harry Brook had committed to English cricket. He had said ‘no I don’t want to go to the IPL, I’ll get banned for three years because I want to do what’s best for England cricket and my England cricket career’, and I believe that deserves some credit and that’s why we made the decision we did.”

The second test against New Zealand is not until June 17 at the Oval, live on Sky Sports.

‘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 breeches 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 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)