England’s Cricket Regulator (via the England and Wales Cricket Board) clears captain Ben Stokes and player Gus Atkinson of charges following an investigation into their conduct during a nightclub incident, with both found not to be at fault for violent conduct. Reporting says the decision comes after the ECB reviews circumstances around celebrations following England’s first Test win against New Zealand. The investigation outcome follows earlier public discussion about Stokes and the team’s off-field conduct that had raised questions about captaincy and internal handling of disciplinary matters. Separately, England confirm Stokes and Atkinson return for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, while Ollie Robinson is left out of the squad. BBC reporting also features Brendon McCullum responding to speculation about any rift, and discussing his relationship with Stokes as the Test campaign continues. Other coverage characterizes the sequence of events as highlighting uncertainties around England’s leadership succession and points to concerns about clarity and transparency in related curfew or disciplinary issues. Overall, the regulator finds no blame for the incident in question, and England proceed with Stokes and Atkinson selected for the next match.
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson cleared over nightclub incident as England name Test returns
England’s Cricket Regulator (via the England and Wales Cricket Board) clears captain Ben Stokes and player Gus Atkinson of charges following an investigation into their conduct during a nightclub inci...
- Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are cleared following an ECB investigation into their conduct related to a nightclub incident.
- The regulator finds they are not to be blamed for violent conduct.
- England confirm Stokes and Atkinson return for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
- Ollie Robinson is left out of the squad for the third Test.
- Brendon McCullum comments on his relationship with Stokes amid speculation about possible internal tensions.
England vs New Zealand: Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson returns confirmed as Ollie Robinson left out for third Test Sky SportsBrendon McCullum says Ben Stokes is a good friend and denies suggestions of a rift BBCStokes saga humiliates McCullum and exposes England’s captaincy succession crisis | Mark Ramprakash The GuardianBrendon McCullum admits curfew rules were not clear The TimesJobs are on the line at the top of English cricket – but Ben Stokes should be safer than others The New York Times
2 months agoBen Stokes: England captain and Gus Atkinson cleared of charges by Cricket Regulator after investigation into nightclub incident Sky SportsStokes saga humiliated McCullum and exposed England’s captaincy succession crisis | Mark Ramprakash The GuardianBen Stokes: Brendon McCullum prepared to work with returning England Test captain going forward BBCStokes and Atkinson to join England Men's Test squad for Trent Bridge England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)England cricketers Stokes and Atkinson 'not to blame for violent conduct' during nightclub incident Sky News
2 months agoStokes saga humiliated McCullum and exposed England’s captaincy succession crisis | Mark Ramprakash The GuardianBen Stokes: England captain and Gus Atkinson cleared of charges by Cricket Regulator after investigation into nightclub incident Sky SportsBen Stokes: Brendon McCullum prepared to work with returning England Test captain going forward BBCEngland cricketers Stokes and Atkinson 'not to blame for violent conduct' during nightclub incident Sky NewsStokes and Atkinson to join England Men's Test squad for Trent Bridge England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
2 months agoWith Stokes now 35, the ECB needs to identify rising talents with the capacity to be serious people, not just young men having fun with their matesIf we learned one thing at the Oval last week, it is that this England team really needs Ben Stokes. So it came as a relief when, a couple of hours after the second Test against New Zealand ended in heavy defeat, he and Gus Atkinson were exonerated by the England and Wales Cricket Board after an investigation into their celebrations following victory in the first. But the governing body found themselves in a process with no perfect outcome, and if the one they’ve ended up with is not the disaster they flirted with a week ago when Stokes was apparently considering retirement, it is still embarrassing.Their handling of the incident was understandable, given the public drunkenness that marked the players’ trip to Noosa during the Ashes, and Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington before that. There was a real lack of transparency around Brook’s incident, which was not revealed to the public until a newspaper discovered and reported it, and that led to a kneejerk reaction when the ECB thought there had been a repeat. All three incidents could have been handled better – they just keep finding different ways of getting it wrong. At least no one can accuse them of not taking this one seriously, and if it hasn’t truly established their competence it has established that all players are accountable, which will help to set a standard of acceptable behaviour. Continue reading...
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