Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson under ECB investigation after nightclub incident; Oval Test spots under cloud

ECB hinted that both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson could miss the Oval Test against New Zealand

Updated on: Jun 8, 2026, 23:13:19 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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England's emphatic 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord's has quickly been overshadowed by an off-field controversy, with captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson coming under investigation by the ECB over an undisclosed incident at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday.

England's Gus Atkinson, right, celebrates with captain Ben Stokes after bowling out New Zealand's Matt Henry to win the Test match between England and New Zealand (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The ECB, on Monday evening, revealed that it was probing an alleged breach of team protocols and indicated that both the players could miss the second Test at The Oval, thus casting a shadow over England's strong start to the series.

"The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men's Test against New Zealand," the ECB's statement said.

"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place.

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"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."

It is the latest controversy to hit the England team following last season's forgettable Ashes tour, which was overshadowed by allegations of a drinking culture within the squad. During the series, which England eventually lost 1-4, players and support staff took a break in the coastal town of Noosa. The trip came under intense scrutiny after a video of opener Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated went viral on social media. Director of cricket Rob Key investigated the matter but rejected suggestions that England had a drinking culture.

After the Ashes concluded, details also emerged of an incident involving Harry Brook in October, when the England white-ball captain was reportedly punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.

In response to the controversies in New Zealand and during the Ashes, ECB chief executive Richard Gould announced in January that England players would be subject to a midnight curfew and a series of stricter behavioural protocols.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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