England Test captain Ben Stokes broke his team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning following England's first-Test victory over New Zealand. He and pace bowler Gus Atkinson stayed out to celebrate the win and were present at a London nightclub when a member of England's security staff was struck by Saracens rugby player Totoa Avuaa. The staff member was left bloodied and in need of medical treatment.
Both Stokes and Atkinson are now under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the independent Cricket Regulator, according to BBC Sport. The ECB released a statement Monday evening confirming it was investigating a breach of team protocols.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan weighed in publicly, writing in the Telegraph: "Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offence as England's Test captain? I don't think so."
Vaughan, who led England to victory in the 2005 Ashes, did not rule out the ECB making a harder call. He also wrote: "The ECB has to be brave enough and strong enough to do what it thinks is right. If that is to sack him then fine, but I do not agree with that decision on this issue."
The ECB has given Stokes time to consider his options and denied any suggestion that he has been asked to resign. While investigations are ongoing, neither Stokes nor Atkinson can be formally omitted from an England squad as a result of a sanction. The only circumstance under which either man would be left out is if it were determined that their presence was not in the best interests of the individual or the team.
England must name a squad for the second Test at The Oval by Thursday. The squad is set to assemble for training on Sunday, with the match beginning the following Wednesday.
The incident adds another layer of controversy to a difficult period for the ECB. Following a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, which was troubled by off-field incidents involving Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue, and Ben Duckett, the ECB placed all England players and staff under a midnight curfew. Stokes broke that curfew on his first appearance for England since it was introduced.
The Cricket Regulator's investigation is independent from the ECB and could take many weeks to complete. The ECB's own process may move faster, but no timeline has been announced. Stokes is 35 years old and has been England's Test captain since 2022.
