Ben Stokes could be stripped of the England captaincy after breaching team protocols during a nightclub incident that has overshadowed a Test victory. The all-rounder, who had quit alcohol and invested in a non-alcoholic spirits brand, was involved in a late-night altercation with a Saracens rugby player alongside fast bowler Gus Atkinson.
Incident Details
The pair broke the team's midnight curfew, which was introduced after concerns about player behavior during the disastrous Ashes tour. The rugby player allegedly threw a punch at Atkinson but struck an ECB security guard instead. Regardless of fault, the Test captain's involvement is a major embarrassment.
Stokes' Alcohol Journey
Stokes previously gave up drinking and invested in CleanCo, an alcohol-free spirit company founded by former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews. He said his investment stemmed from rebalancing his relationship with alcohol. He also gave up alcohol last year to aid recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in New Zealand in 2024.
Speaking on Matthews' Untapped podcast, Stokes recalled: "After my first major injury, I thought, 'We had a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part?' I needed to start changing what I do."
Consequences
Stokes and Atkinson are expected to be stood down for the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval starting June 17. Stokes would be replaced as captain by Harry Brook, who has his own disciplinary history. Head coach Brendon McCullum, who has defended players before, reiterated his mantra: "Don't do anything that lands you on the front page of the paper and nothing good happens after midnight."
