London: England captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson have been investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching team code after England’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test.
The ECB confirmed on Monday evening that it was investigating an undisclosed incident involving Stokes and Atkinson at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning.
The governing body suggested that both players may face disciplinary action and may not be able to play in the second Test at The Oval starting on June 17.
In an official statement, the ECB said it was investigating a breach of team ethics that occurred after the conclusion of the opening Test. The board confirmed Stokes and Atkinson were in a nightclub when the incident took place and further inquiries are underway.
Along with the announcement of the squad for the second Test, the ECB added that the Controlling Authority for Cricket has been informed and an update will be provided in due course.
England introduced a midnight curfew for players and staff following their tour of Australia earlier this year, where a number of off-field incidents attracted significant criticism.
During that tour, Harry Brook was fined and reprimanded after a late-night altercation involving a bouncer, while Jacob Bethel received a warning for his behaviour. Ben Duckett has come under scrutiny after footage emerged of him appearing intoxicated during a controversial inter-series break in Noosa.
Speaking after England’s win over New Zealand, Stokes admitted he was eager to celebrate the win with his teammates.
“I know how important this match is in terms of the result and how it will be perceived externally if things don’t go well,” Stokes said. “Now that it’s gone well, I won’t be properly happy until I go upstairs and have a proper beer with the boys.”
Stokes has previously faced disciplinary issues in his international career. The most notable incident occurred in 2017 when he was involved in a night-time street brawl following an ODI in Bristol.
Although he was acquitted in court, the ECB’s cricket regulatory body later fined him and imposed a retroactive suspension for bringing the game into disrepute.
England head coach Brendon McCullum has addressed concerns about player behavior following incidents on the Ashes tour earlier this year. Rejecting suggestions he is running in a relaxed environment, McCullum reiterated the message he has delivered since taking over in 2022.
“The first thing I told these boys was, ‘Don’t do anything that puts you on the front page of the paper,’ ‘Nothing good happens after midnight,’ but we’re going to look good,” McCallum said.
“I’m not against these boys being controlled in a way. It’s about taking care of them so that they don’t make mistakes,” he added.
Rob Key, England’s managing director, dismissed suggestions that the team had a “drinking habit” after the Ashes series, although admitted that “two or three players may have been irresponsible in drinking when given the opportunity”.
Key said the team curfew was introduced to outline such tests and findings from England’s post-Ashes review.
The review focused on improving the team’s culture and environment, introducing new expectations regarding player behavior and encouraging better individual and collective decision-making.
England are yet to announce their squad for the second Test.