England captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson are under investigation after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took notice of an incident at a nightclub after England’s first Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s.
The ECB confirmed in a statement on Monday that both players attended a night club in the early hours of Monday when an incident occurred.
The board did not disclose details, but said the case was under investigation and it was a violation of team rules.
The ECB is currently looking into a violation of the team protocol after the first Test.
The board is collecting more information and will release a statement for the second Test in the near future, the board added.
The incident has sparked more debate about team discipline and culture in England.
Earlier this year the England cricket team was also criticised after it was noted that they had been involved in heavy drinking at a break during the Ashes series in the wake of their 4-1 defeat in Australia.
Another incident in which Harry Brook, the captain of the limited overs side, fought with a New Zealand nightclub bouncer also drew interest, before he went on to issue a public apology.
To counter those controversies, the ECB announced tougher measures in January, such as new rules that would see players banned from going outside after midnight.
With regards to the off-field culture, the latest episode also brings head coach Brendon McCullum under fire as the incident happened under his supervision.
Stokes was previously involved in an affray charge (public fight) in 2017, in a high-profile nightclub incident in Bristol.
He missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour due to that incident.
England will play New Zealand at The Oval on June 17 in the second Test of their three-match series.
Also read: England crush New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s in dominant display
