Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson investigated over nightclub incident involving Saracens player as ECB release statement over 'breach of team protocols'
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Updated 08/06/2026 at 23:18 GMT+1
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An incident at a nightclub involving Ben Stokes, bowler Gus Atkinson, and a Saracens academy player is being investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the PREM Rugby club.
‘I have a ruthless side’ - Stokes eager for England to bounce back from Ashes loss
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The ECB issued a statement on Monday confirming it was "investigating a breach of team protocols" by Stokes and Atkinson following England’s win over New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday.
The governing body has also delayed the announcement of the squad for the second Test, with the Daily Telegraph reporting that Stokes is "fighting to keep his job" as England captain.
"The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first men’s Test against New Zealand," the statement read.
"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 also confirmed they were aware of an incident involving one of their academy players and are working to establish the full facts relating to the incident, with the Telegraph reporting that some of their players were present at the venue.
”We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening,” the club said.
”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 identity of the academy player involved has not been disclosed.
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Ben Stokes' future as England Test captain is under threat
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The second Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on June 17, and it has been reported by the Telegraph that 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".
Brook himself has previously been disciplined after being fined and censured for his conduct following an incident in Wellington last October, when he was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer ahead of captaining England in a One Day International against New Zealand.
For Stokes, the incident comes at a time of increased scrutiny following a 4-1 series defeat in the NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes in the winter.
The 35-year-old conceded his side had done the damage to themselves as Australia cruised to a five-wicket win in Sydney in the fifth Test, capping off a miserable tour for England.
Stokes questioned the approach of his side throughout the series in "big moments" as he urged "honesty" in the wake of their heavy defeat.
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‘We’ve done a lot of damage to ourselves’ - Stokes looks back on Ashes loss
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Speaking to TNT Sports, Stokes said: "Teams are understanding how to operate against us as a team. When we seem to get into situations where, with the bat, things look very easy.
"The opposition are doing a lot of the same things to us now, and we need to work out what we do in those situations a lot better.
"We play too much 3/10 cricket in terms of the chances coming off and when you play cricket like that, the likelihood is it’s not going to fall your way in big moments.
"I’ve just seen it happen quite a lot throughout this series. I think we can all be very honest as a team that we have done the damage to ourselves."
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