Ben Stokes faces ECB investigation after nightclub incident

LONDON: Ben Stokes is under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board after a nightclub incident in the early hours of Monday, putting the England captain's position under scrutiny ahead of the second Test against New Zealand.

The ECB said Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub after England's victory in the opening Test at Lord's. The governing body said it was examining a possible breach of team protocols and would announce the squad for next week's second Test at the Oval in due course.

In a statement, the ECB said:

"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.

If Stokes were to lose the captaincy, white-ball skipper Harry Brook could take charge for the second Test in London. That would mark a notable turn given Brook was previously fined and formally reprimanded after late-night drinking and an altercation with a nightclub bouncer before captaining England in a one-day international in Wellington in October.

Fresh scrutiny after earlier off-field concerns

The latest episode comes after England's tour of Australia, where the team drew criticism over allegations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 Ashes defeat that ended in January. During that trip, the squad's behaviour came under particular attention following a mid-series break in Noosa, where a social media video appeared to show opener Ben Duckett intoxicated.

England director of cricket Rob Key reviewed the squad's time in Noosa and rejected the suggestion that the team had a drinking culture. After the Ashes, more details also emerged about Brook's October incident in Wellington. Brook had said he was alone at the nightclub, but it later emerged that England players Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also with him.

England imposed a midnight curfew on all players and staff after Brook's clash in Wellington, and that it is understood to remain in place. The curfew was first introduced for England's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January and for the subsequent T20 World Cup, with Brook serving as captain in both competitions.

Saracens statement and recent Test win

Britain's Daily Telegraph reported that players from Saracens were also at the venue for the London club's end-of-season party. Saracens later confirmed that one of their academy players had been involved in an incident in the early hours of Monday.

In its statement, Saracens said:

"We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens,"

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."

The investigation comes a day after Stokes led England to a 115-run win over New Zealand before lunch on the fourth day at Lord's in the first Test of the three-match series. Atkinson played a key role in sealing the result, taking 5-30 in New Zealand's second innings.

Stokes, who turned 35 during the first Test, had underlined the importance of the result after England went 1-0 up in the series. He said:

I'm not going to lie, I'm very, very happy that we've won this week. 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.

I won't be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.

Earlier Bristol case

Stokes was also involved in a nightclub-related incident in Bristol in 2017 that resulted in an affray charge. He missed the 2017/18 Ashes tour before being found not guilty after a trial at Bristol Crown Court in August 2018.