England captain Ben Stokes Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into a nightclub incident following the team’s win over New Zealand earlier this month. The pair have already received written warnings from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching the team’s curfew and have been ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand. However, both players are expected to return for the series-deciding third Test starting at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday. On Monday, the independent cricket regulator confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against any player after completing its review of the matter. The controversy stems from an incident after England’s win in the first Test, when Stokes and Atkinson stayed out past the team’s midnight curfew and visited a London nightclub. That night, a team security officer was reportedly attacked by a rugby player from Premier League club Saracens. Cricket’s governing body launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and said it examined a range of evidence before reaching a conclusion. “Following a careful review of all currently available information, cricket’s governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence to prove that any regulatory breach has occurred,” the body said in a statement. Investigators conducted a “multiple investigation to collect and evaluate evidence” before deciding no further action was needed in the case, according to the regulator. The incident has reignited debate about culture within the England men’s team, particularly after criticism following the team’s unsuccessful Ashes tour of Australia, where reports of excessive drinking and unprofessional behavior attracted widespread attention. While the off-field issues have now been resolved, attention will soon shift back to cricket. England and New Zealand went into the third and final Test with the series level at 1-1, setting up a decisive showdown at Trent Bridge.
