The harm to the already weakened reputation of discipline in the England cricket team has further been exacerbated after the England Cricket Board (ECB) announced that it has launched an investigation into Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson after both were spotted at a nightclub on Monday morning.
It seems that the duo extended their celebrations from Sunday night following the 115-run victory over New Zealand in the ENG vs NZ 1st Test at Lord’s, where Atkinson took a five-for in New Zealand’s second innings.
England began their home summer with a win in London over the Kiwis in what turned out to be a low-scoring Test match owing to the inconsistent nature of the Lord’s surface, which came under huge scrutiny.
The attention, though, will now shift to Stokes, Atkinson, and the lack of a disciplinary culture in the England team leading into the second Test, for which the pair is uncertain, going by the undertone of the ECB’s statement.
ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols by Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson
Late on Monday, the ECB released a statement that didn’t hide the nature of the “incident” and the apparent misdemeanor conducted by Stokes and Atkinson.
The board said it is looking into a potential breach of team protocols by the skipper and the pacer.
The ECB stated, “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 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.”
After securing the win at Lord’s, Stokes had said that the players would be enjoying beer to celebrate the victory.
“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, but now it’s gone well. I probably won’t be real happy and smiling until I get up there and share a proper beer with the boys,” Stokes said in the post-match press conference.
Little had he realized then that it would come back to bite him sharply.
The England cricket team had faced heavy criticism last year for their off-field behavior on the tour of New Zealand and Australia.
White-ball captain Harry Brook was fined and rebuked for being out drinking late and for being involved in an incident with a club bouncer the night prior to the 3rd ODI against New Zealand.
Opener Ben Duckett had it even worse. He was filmed by a fan during the mid-tour break to Noosa while being clearly drunk and not totally conscious.
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