Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson dropped from England Test squad after nightclub incident
England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching a midnight curfew at a London nightclub. Stokes is reportedly considering his future as the Test captain of England.
Captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Gus Atkinson will not be part of the England squad for the second Test of the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand, starting June 17, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday. The board confirmed that the two are currently being investigated for breaching the team's curfew and reportedly getting involved in a brawl at a London nightclub after their first Test win at Lord's.
Joe Root will lead England in Stokes's absence - the first time England's leading run-scorer will captain the side in the Bazball era, and his first match in charge since March 2022.
"The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June," a statement read.
The decision comes at a time when sections of the British media have suggested Stokes is likely to be removed as Test captain, with some reports going further, raising the possibility that he could walk away from the format altogether.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jofra Archer, who missed the opening Test of the three-match series, returns to the squad. Archer was rested for the series opener at Lord's to manage his workload after a busy season in the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan Royals.
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR 2ND TEST
Joe Root (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
WHAT DID STOKES AND ATKINSON DO?
The said incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday, June 8, hours after England had wrapped up a 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord's in the first Test. Stokes had told reporters in his post-match press conference that he was looking forward to a "proper beer with the boys." That celebration extended beyond the dressing room. Both Stokes and Atkinson ended up at the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea, where Saracens players had gathered for their own end-of-season party, according to local media.
The Telegraph reported that a player from a popular rugby team Saracens, threw a punch at Atkinson but struck a security guard who was supervising the England players. More damaging than the altercation itself, though, was where they were when it happened. England's players had been operating under a strict midnight curfew – a protocol introduced following incidents in New Zealand and during the Ashes last winter. Stokes and Atkinson had broken it.
It was not the first time the England camp had found itself here. Harry Brook had admitted he was fortunate to keep his England ODI captaincy after describing his own altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international against New Zealand last winter as a "terrible mistake." He was issued a final warning and fined approximately £30,000.
ECB managing director Rob Key had responded at the time by insisting the team did not have a drinking problem - while acknowledging, in the same breath, that there are "two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity."
That caveat has aged poorly. The incident has been referred to the independent Cricket Regulator. ESPNcricinfo reported that Stokes is currently considering his future as England captain. Senior cricket journalist George Dobell went further, suggesting Stokes could step down from the captaincy entirely – and potentially retire.
Key, meanwhile, defended the broader culture of the squad: "I don't think they have a drinking problem. I don't think it's fair to put everyone into that bracket. The majority of those players are unbelievably diligent and will do whatever they can to maximise their potential."
Captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Gus Atkinson will not be part of the England squad for the second Test of the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand, starting June 17, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday. The board confirmed that the two are currently being investigated for breaching the team's curfew and reportedly getting involved in a brawl at a London nightclub after their first Test win at Lord's.
Joe Root will lead England in Stokes's absence - the first time England's leading run-scorer will captain the side in the Bazball era, and his first match in charge since March 2022.
"The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June," a statement read.
The decision comes at a time when sections of the British media have suggested Stokes is likely to be removed as Test captain, with some reports going further, raising the possibility that he could walk away from the format altogether.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jofra Archer, who missed the opening Test of the three-match series, returns to the squad. Archer was rested for the series opener at Lord's to manage his workload after a busy season in the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan Royals.
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR 2ND TEST
Joe Root (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
WHAT DID STOKES AND ATKINSON DO?
The said incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday, June 8, hours after England had wrapped up a 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord's in the first Test. Stokes had told reporters in his post-match press conference that he was looking forward to a "proper beer with the boys." That celebration extended beyond the dressing room. Both Stokes and Atkinson ended up at the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea, where Saracens players had gathered for their own end-of-season party, according to local media.
The Telegraph reported that a player from a popular rugby team Saracens, threw a punch at Atkinson but struck a security guard who was supervising the England players. More damaging than the altercation itself, though, was where they were when it happened. England's players had been operating under a strict midnight curfew – a protocol introduced following incidents in New Zealand and during the Ashes last winter. Stokes and Atkinson had broken it.
It was not the first time the England camp had found itself here. Harry Brook had admitted he was fortunate to keep his England ODI captaincy after describing his own altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international against New Zealand last winter as a "terrible mistake." He was issued a final warning and fined approximately £30,000.
ECB managing director Rob Key had responded at the time by insisting the team did not have a drinking problem - while acknowledging, in the same breath, that there are "two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity."
That caveat has aged poorly. The incident has been referred to the independent Cricket Regulator. ESPNcricinfo reported that Stokes is currently considering his future as England captain. Senior cricket journalist George Dobell went further, suggesting Stokes could step down from the captaincy entirely – and potentially retire.
Key, meanwhile, defended the broader culture of the squad: "I don't think they have a drinking problem. I don't think it's fair to put everyone into that bracket. The majority of those players are unbelievably diligent and will do whatever they can to maximise their potential."
