Ben Stokes may be stripped of the England captaincy following a nightclub incident that occurred after he had quit alcohol and invested in an alcohol-free brand. The Test captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were involved in an altercation with a Saracens rugby player in the early hours of Monday, breaching the team's midnight curfew.
Curfew Breach and Incident Details
The curfew had been introduced after concerns over player conduct during the winter Ashes tour. The unnamed rugby player allegedly threw a punch at Atkinson but struck an ECB security guard instead. Regardless of fault, Stokes' involvement represents a significant embarrassment for English cricket.
Stokes' Alcohol-Free Journey
Stokes had abstained from alcohol for a period last year and invested in CleanCo, an alcohol-free spirit company run by former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews. CleanCo stated: "Ben's investment was born from his personal journey re-balancing his relationship with alcohol. His decision stems from a deep alignment with the brand's ethos: that not drinking doesn't mean missing out."
Stokes' history includes a 2017 incident outside a Bristol nightclub that led to an affray charge, causing him to miss the 2017/18 Ashes tour before being cleared. He gave up alcohol last year to accelerate recovery from a hamstring tear suffered in New Zealand in late 2024.
Speaking on Matthews' Untapped podcast, Stokes said: "After my first major injury, I thought, 'We had a drink four or five nights ago—could that have played a part?' It wouldn't have helped. I need to start changing what I do."
Stokes had not completely abandoned alcohol; he told reporters he would "share a beer with the boys" after England's first Test victory at Lord's. However, that triumph has been overshadowed.
Expected Replacement and Disciplinary Actions
Both 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 faced his own disciplinary issues—he was struck by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington last year and fined £30,000.
Head coach Brendon McCullum, who has defended players in the past, reiterated his mantra: "Don't do anything that lands you on the front page, and nothing good happens after midnight."
