Ben Stokes is fighting to keep his job as
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced it had launched an investigation into the events surrounding the conduct of Stokes and Gus Atkinson in the early hours of Monday morning.
It came after England completed their
Stokes may decide to resign, or the ECB could remove him from his job if it rules that he was involved and deems the incident serious enough.
Telegraph Sport revealed that Saracens rugby players were also present, with the event being their end-of-season party. Saracens confirmed they were “aware of an incident involving an academy player.”
Harry Brook is almost certain to be England captain for the second Test at the Oval next week with Stokes unlikely to appear and expected be given time away from the group.
It would be a remarkable turnaround for Brook, who was
Stokes was arrested after being involved in a street brawl outside a nightclub alongside team-mate Alex Hales. He was eventually charged with affray after claiming he was defending two men from homophobic abuse.
December 2017
Ben Duckett dropped from England XI match against Australia after pouring a drink over England team-mate James Anderson on a night out in Perth.
November 2025
White-ball captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell are spotted in Wellington drinking the night before an ODI match where Brook had a late-night altercation with a nightclub bouncer.
December 2025
Social media footage emerges showing Duckett out in Australia during the Ashes slurring his words in the early hours of the morning. England's director of cricket, Rob Key, launched an investigation.
June 2026
ECB release statement explaining captain Stokes and Gus Atkinson are under investigation following a ‘nightclub incident’ after New Zealand Test at Lord’s.
The ECB issued a statement at 6pm on Monday saying it is “investigating a breach of team protocols” by Stokes and Gus Atkinson and has delayed the announcement of the squad for the second Test.
The ECB said in a statement: “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.”
Saracens said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening.
“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 second Test against New Zealand starts at the Oval on June 17.
More to follow...
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cricket Test captain after an incident in a nightclub involving a Saracens rugby player.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced it had launched an investigation into the events surrounding the conduct of Stokes and Gus Atkinson in the early hours of Monday morning.
It came after England completed their
You must be logged on to see external links
at Lord’s on Sunday.Stokes may decide to resign, or the ECB could remove him from his job if it rules that he was involved and deems the incident serious enough.
Telegraph Sport revealed that Saracens rugby players were also present, with the event being their end-of-season party. Saracens confirmed they were “aware of an incident involving an academy player.”
Harry Brook is almost certain to be England captain for the second Test at the Oval next week with Stokes unlikely to appear and expected be given time away from the group.
It would be a remarkable turnaround for Brook, who was
You must be logged on to see external links
when he went drinking late at night and clashed with a nightclub bouncer before captaining England in an one-day international in Wellington last October.Five off-field incidents involving England players
September 2017Stokes was arrested after being involved in a street brawl outside a nightclub alongside team-mate Alex Hales. He was eventually charged with affray after claiming he was defending two men from homophobic abuse.
December 2017
Ben Duckett dropped from England XI match against Australia after pouring a drink over England team-mate James Anderson on a night out in Perth.
November 2025
White-ball captain Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell are spotted in Wellington drinking the night before an ODI match where Brook had a late-night altercation with a nightclub bouncer.
December 2025
Social media footage emerges showing Duckett out in Australia during the Ashes slurring his words in the early hours of the morning. England's director of cricket, Rob Key, launched an investigation.
June 2026
ECB release statement explaining captain Stokes and Gus Atkinson are under investigation following a ‘nightclub incident’ after New Zealand Test at Lord’s.
The ECB issued a statement at 6pm on Monday saying it is “investigating a breach of team protocols” by Stokes and Gus Atkinson and has delayed the announcement of the squad for the second Test.
The ECB said in a statement: “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.”
Saracens said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening.
“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 second Test against New Zealand starts at the Oval on June 17.
More to follow...
