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England Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are facing an internal ECB investigation after the pair allegedly breached the team’s strict midnight curfew
All we know with Ben Stokes’ captaincy in jeopardy after nightclub incident with a Saracens rugby star
- Ben Stokes confronts an uncertain future as England Test skipper following a nightclub incident that has resulted in the cricketer and team-mate Gus Atkinson facing an internal ECB investigation. The pair were embroiled in an incident involving Saracens rugby academy player Totoa Auvaa.
- The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed both players had committed a “breach of team protocols” after celebrating Sunday’s triumph over New Zealand at Lord’s. Both men are anticipated to be dropped from the second Test at the Kia Oval starting June 17.
- The incident concerned a confrontation at a London nightclub during the early hours of Monday morning. The duo had violated the team’s midnight curfew, which had been reintroduced following criticism of England’s professionalism during their winter tours.
- It’s claimed the rugby player launched a punch at Atkinson, but instead struck an ECB security guard. The security guard required stitches, reports the Mirror.
- Both Stokes and Atkinson escaped injury, with the pair described as ‘not the aggressors’. Police were not called to the incident.
- This latest scandal compounds England’s mounting reputation issues, following numerous drinking incidents during their disastrous Ashes campaign. White-ball captain Harry Brooks had previously been fined for a tussle with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington. Head coach Brendon McCullum had earlier issued a caution to his players, stating: “Don’t do anything that lands you on the front page of the paper and nothing good happens after midnight.”
- Stokes had previously missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour after being charged with affray following an incident at a Bristol nightclub, though he was subsequently acquitted. The ECB announced they are “currently seeking further information” about Monday’s events.
- Read the full story here: England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson under investigation over nightclub incident
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