England captain Stokes dropped for second test after curfew breach

FE Team | Published: June 11, 2026 22:28:20

England captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson have both been left out of the second test against New Zealand that starts next week following an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub, the ECB said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.
Former skipper Joe Root will lead the team at The Oval in the absence of Stokes.
"The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June."
Stokes and pace bowler Atkinson broke the team's midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning and were reportedly present when a member of England's security staff was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player.
It is the latest incident to involve a member of the England team after vice-captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington in October on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.
During the Ashes series in Australia, videos also emerged on social media showing England players inebriated during a mini-break in the coastal town of Noosa.
Accusations of a "drinking culture" were played down by Rob Key, England's managing director of cricket, in March but the ECB have introduced a strict midnight curfew.
England enjoyed a 115-run victory in the first test, with Atkinson taking five wickets in New Zealand's second innings, but that positive result has now been overshadowed by another embarrassing incident for the ECB.
The Cricket Regulator - a separate body from the ECB - is also conducting an investigation, the ECB said.
Stokes' long-term future is now under a cloud, but former captain Michael Vaughan believes he should not be dismissed.
"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 told the Daily Telegraph.
It is not the first time 35-year-old Stokes has found himself in trouble for off-field incidents.