Stokes facing uncertain future as England captain

Ben Stokes’ position as England cricket captain was in jeopardy Monday after officials announced he was being investigated for a nightclub incident reportedly involving a Saracens rugby player.

Both Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson are facing a probe by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

It is the latest controversy concerning the England team following a tour of Australia where the side faced allegations of a drinking culture during a 4-1 Ashes series loss concluded in January.

If Stokes is stripped of the captaincy, white-ball skipper Harry Brook could lead England for next week’s second Test across London at the Oval.

This would represent a remarkable reversal for Brook, who was fined and censured for late-night drinking and clashing with a nightclub bouncer before captaining England in a one-day international in Wellington in October.

“The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand,” the governing body said in a statement issued Monday.

“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.”

Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported players from Saracens, who compete in English rugby union’s top-flight Prem league, were also present at the venue for the London club’s end-of-season party.

Saracens subsequently issued a statement confirming one their academy players was involved in an incident in the early hours of Monday.

“We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens,” it 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.”

Stokes led England as they thrashed New Zealand by 115 runs before lunch on Sunday’s fourth day at Lord’s in their first Test match since their humiliating Ashes defeat, paceman Atkinson helping finish things off with a second-innings haul of 5-30.

Brook’s clash in Wellington led England to impose a midnight curfew on all players and staff, which is understood to still be in place.

‘Beer with the boys’

During the Australia tour, the conduct of the England squad came under particular scrutiny following a mid-series break in the coastal town of Noosa, with a video of Ben Duckett posted on social media that appeared to show the opening batsman in state of intoxication.

England director of cricket Rob Key investigated the squad’s time in Noosa, with the former Test batsman denying the team had a drinking culture.

Following the conclusion of the Ashes, details of the incident involving Brook in October were revealed.

Brook claimed to have been alone at the nightclub in Wellington, only for it to emerge he was alongside England team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue.

The midnight curfew was first imposed for England’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January and the T20 World Cup that followed, both when Brook was captain.

Stokes turned 35 during the first Test and, speaking after England went 1-0 up in a three-match series, he said: “I’m not going to lie, I’m very, very happy that we’ve won this week. I knew how big this game was in terms of the result and how it was going to be perceived externally if it didn’t go well.

“I won’t be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys.”

In 2017, Stokes was involved in an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol, southwest England, that led to him being charged with affray.

He subsequently missed the Ashes tour of 2017/18 before he was found not guilty of the charge following a trial at Bristol Crown Court in August 2018.