The England and Wales Cricket Board have released a statement after captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were in a nightclub "when an incident took place"
18:27, 08 Jun 2026 Updated 20:21, 08 Jun 2026
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are being investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board after being in a nightclub "when an incident took place."
The pair were in the club following England’s victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, which breached a midnight curfew England had imposed on players in the wake of disciplinary concerns during the miserable Ashes series and the preceding tour of New Zealand.
Concerns of a drinking culture had emerged after numerous reports of excessive boozing during the trips, in particular during a short break in the town of Noosa. Harry Brook made a grovelling apology after one drunken incident in Wellington, after which he was fined £30,000.
Now the fresh investigation concerns Atkinson, 28 and 35-year-old Stokes. Stokes, England's captain, was cleared of affray in August 2018 after he was involved in a street brawl near a nightclub in Bristol following the third ODI against West Indies in September of the previous year.
Stokes and Atkinson helped England complete a 115-run wicket in the first Test of the summer over New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday. It seems that the duo then visited a nightclub as part of their celebrations.
England players are forced to abide by a midnight curfew after making headlines for an apparent drinking culture during their miserable Ashes tour in Australia .
The 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."
Surrey seamer Atkinson took figures of 5-30 as England wrapped up victory over New Zealand on Sunday. The tourists were bowled out for 138 on a minefield of a Lord's pitch as England went 1-0 up in the three-match series.
The win helped ease pressure on captain Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key following a shambolic Ashes tour, which saw England beaten 4-1 by Australia.
But news that Stokes and Atkinson have broken the curfew put in place after reported boozing by the squad during a mid-Ashes break is a potential huge embarrassment to the team.
An ECB review of the Ashes tour ended with McCullum and Key keeping their jobs, despite accusations that things had become too relaxed. Photos and reports from the beach resort of Noosa, which appeared to show England players drinking heavily, was followed by an apology from Harry Brook after a drunken incident in New Zealand .
Brook was fined £30,000 by the ECB after being hit by a bouncer during an incident in Wellington on October 31. The batter was denied entry to a nightclub for being too drunk.
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In a grovelling apology, Brook said: "Representing England is the greatest honour of all, which I take seriously and I am deeply sorry for letting down my team-mates, coaches and supporters. I have reflected on the lessons it has taught me about responsibility, professionalism and the standards expected of those representing your country.
"I am determined to learn from this mistake and to rebuild trust through my future actions, both on and off the field. I apologise unreservedly and will work hard to ensure this does not happen again."
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