England Check captain Ben Stokes is contemplating his future after he and Gus Atkinson breached the England workforce’s new midnight curfew and have been at a nightclub when an altercation passed off with a Saracens rugby participant.
Saracens gamers have been out celebrating their end-of-season celebration at Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea, the place Stokes and Atkinson have been additionally current within the early hours of Monday morning following England’s first Check win over New Zealand.
Sky Sports activities Information understands a Saracens participant threw a punch at Atkinson however hit a safety guard who was supervising the gamers.
It isn’t clear at this stage whether or not additional punches have been thrown.
The ECB safety officer is believed to have required stitches, however Stokes and Atkinson weren’t injured.
It’s understood the police usually are not concerned within the incident.
The Every day Telegraph claimed ECB sources advised the newspaper that the cricketers have been “not the aggressors”.
On Monday the ECB mentioned it was investigating a “breach of team protocols” involving Stokes and Atkinson. England’s gamers have been anticipated to stick to a midnight curfew, amongst different restrictions, following incidents in New Zealand and in the course of the Ashes final winter. The curfew was nonetheless in place on Sunday evening.
An ECB assertion learn: “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 have been current at a nightclub within the early hours of Monday morning when an incident passed off.
“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 knowledgeable and we’ll present an additional replace when doable.”
Saracens have advised Sky Sports activities Information: “We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening.
“The membership is presently establishing the total details and is in touch with the related authorities and people concerned. As soon as this course of is full, the matter might be reviewed and addressed appropriately.
“We will make no further comment at this time.”
England wrapped up a 115-run win over the Black Caps at Lord’s on Sunday of their first Check since their Ashes humiliation. Atkinson did a lot of the harm with second-innings figures of 5-30.
The second Check is dwell on Sky Sports activities on June 17.
May Stokes resign? ‘He is contemplating his place’
Sky Sports activities Information’ James Cole:
“When the players left Lord’s on Sunday evening it felt like a good moment for English cricket after an awful winter. It felt like a moment to celebrate.
“They usually did rejoice – they went on to a pub in Fulham the place they met up with the Saracens rugby workforce, who additionally have been celebrating the tip of their season.
“They drank with them in the evening, and some went on to that nightclub in Chelsea where the incident happened.
“Who the aggressor was is nearly irrelevant now – as a result of the actual fact is that they broke that curfew.
“Whether they were unfortunate to be involved in the melee is almost irrelevant too – they put themselves in that situation, and by doing so, this situation has escalated.
“Does this make Ben Stokes’ place untenable? That may be a query solely he can reply.
“Questions around the drinking culture of the team circulated – that’s why they put in this curfew, which has been broken by the captain.
“It is very embarrassing and really unlucky [for the ECB]. It was just a few weeks in the past that the ECB held an Ashes evaluation. They checked out every part on and off the pitch, and determined that each single particular person within the hierarchy ought to preserve their job.
“They were asked about the drinking culture and this curfew, and they said that if there was an issue, we’re addressing it, it won’t continue. We will change the culture in the dressing room.
“One check into the summer time, and that has been breached. The ECB gave Stokes and McCullum this opportunity for redemption – and already, they’ve blown it.”
Is there a ingesting tradition within the England males’s cricket workforce?
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Rob Key believes there may be not a ingesting tradition inside the England males’s workforce
In March, ECB managing director Rob Key insisted the England males’s workforce “does not have a drinking problem” following an incident involving Harry Brook in New Zealand and a mid-Ashes journey to Noosa.
Brook admitted he was lucky to maintain his England ODI captaincy place after describing his altercation with a nightclub bouncer the evening earlier than a one-day worldwide towards New Zealand final winter as a “terrible mistake”.
The 26-year-old was issued with a closing warning and fined roughly £30,000. He’s the present vice captain of the Check aspect and could be in line to switch Stokes as captain ought to he miss any upcoming matches.
“I don’t think they have a drinking problem,” Key mentioned. I do not assume it is honest to place everybody into that bracket. I believe nearly all of these gamers are unbelievably diligent and can do no matter they will to attempt to maximise their potential and play in addition to they will for England.
“Like a lot of teams, there’s two or three players that can be irresponsible with alcohol given that opportunity. What we’re trying to do is try and find that happy medium.
“It isn’t about ingesting to allow them to get away from the sport. Cricket is totally different to a variety of different sports activities, particularly worldwide cricket when you’re away for your complete 12 months, nearly. Even if you happen to’re enjoying at dwelling, you are away.”
Ramprakash: Stokes incident ‘hugely damaging for England’
Former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash on Sky News:
“As chief of the aspect, that is vastly damaging for the England reset after what was a really troublesome winter. The England captain’s job has at all times been an important job in sport on this nation. You do set requirements and you need to abide by them.
“I suppose what makes Ben Stokes widely respected is that he is human. He has been through his ups and downs. Being a well-known cricketer at the wrong times can be very difficult.
“The ECB got here below big criticism – and that is a part of the explanation I assumed Rob key and Brendan McCullum have been very fortunate to maintain their jobs – as a result of within the winter, we noticed a tour which had a scarcity of planning and preparation, and it was brutally uncovered.
“The culture of the group has also been brutally exposed. Especially when they had their seaside break. I can’t get my head around it – I don’t drink – but when you’re on national duty, representing the country, I don’t get why you have to do these types of things.
“I am actually shocked, as a result of there was a lot criticism of what went on within the winter. The optics are so poor while you’re shedding and out in public getting frunk. That isn’t acceptable, and that’s the reason I really feel that the cricket regulator have to take motion.
“The ECB need to be really clear about what direction they’re going to go in from here.”
‘It’s a shock that Stokes is concerned’
Geraint Hughes, Sky Sports activities Information correspondent:
“There will be disappointment because there’s a huge amount of scrutiny on the England men’s cricket team and the women’s team as well because they represent so much to so many as well.
“A cheerful medium needs to be struck, however there might be disappointment as a result of there have been breaches of acceptable behaviour earlier than and in latest occasions.
“Ben Stokes has led England on and off the field, ever since he became captain and before. He actually became captain in April 2022 so it’s well over four years. He has been the captain under head coach Brendon McCullum for quite a long time as well.
“He additionally vowed to show his life round after he was acquitted within the crown court docket system in 2018 of affray after a combat close to a Bristol nightclub.
“He was a major, integral part of England winning the World Cup at Lord’s in 2019. Who can forget that final against New Zealand? He then became Test captain when Joe Root left that role and for well over four years now he’s been in charge and he’s set exacting standards on the pitch, but also off the pitch as well.
“He is been very open about his psychological well being but additionally his anticipated excessive requirements, so ‘sure’ it’s a shock that Ben Stokes is concerned on this breach of workforce protocols.”
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Lord’s) – England received by 115 runs
- Second Check (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)
- Third Check (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
