Ben Stokes under ECB probe after London nightclub incident threatens England Test captaincy

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson were at the Rex Rooms nightclub in west London in the early hours of Monday, minutes after England secured a 115‑run win over New Zealand at Lord’s. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) opened an investigation, citing a breach of team protocols and a violation of the midnight curfew that remains in force.

The board’s statement said the incident also involved a Saracens academy player, Totoa Auvaa, who attempted to punch Atkinson and instead struck an ECB security guard, who required stitches. No police involvement has been reported. The ECB has referred the matter to the independent Cricket Regulator and delayed the squad announcement for the second Test at The Oval on June 17. Both Stokes and Atkinson are expected to miss the match, and Stokes is reported to be weighing a possible retirement or relinquishment of the captaincy, adding to ongoing scrutiny of England’s off‑field discipline after previous drinking‑culture controversies.