No rush over Ben Stokes’ future as England consider alcohol ban after nightclub brawl
England’s director of cricket Rob Key is considering imposing an alcohol ban on the team and has not guaranteed Ben Stokes will remain Test captain after the London nightclub fiasco. England will be without a captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson for the second Test against New Zealand after the pair were involved in an off-field incident at a London nightclub in the early hours of Monday.
The episode adds to a series of disciplinary problems that have affected England’s set-up over the past six months, with multiple players attracting attention for late-night outings.
In response to criticism over the squad’s drinking habits during the winter, England recently tightened off-field regulations by introducing a midnight curfew. Stokes and Atkinson are considered to have committed these limitations.
In response to the latest episode, Key said stricter rules may need to be introduced in an effort to regain public confidence.
“We need to look at whether we were strict enough?” Key said. “Even if they win the cricket, is there a time when there is simply no alcohol at any time and at any stage?
“I have to think these things through because I don’t want to make a rash decision that holds the team back and creates a situation where they don’t feel like they can do something.
“But the players now have to show the public that they can trust them. At the moment it’s hard to say they can.”
STOKES FUTURE AS CAPTAIN
After the last line, there were reports that Stokes was planning to step down as a captain and even leave the game entirely.
When pressed, Key told BBC sport: “He didn’t suggest it to me.”
Key was also blunt when it came to Stokes representing England again, saying he had no reason why it shouldn’t happen.
However, when it came to the captaincy piece, Key refused to make any guarantees.
“A lot of things have to happen before then,” Key said. “We need to start an investigation, find out exactly what happened. We’re in the middle of it right now. No decisions will be made until then.”
“We have to let it play out. No decisions have been made on our end.”
“We haven’t given him an ultimatum, we’re talking to him all the time to make sure he’s OK. It’s obviously been a traumatic time for him the last few days. When things are like this, you don’t want to make any decisions. Time is our ally.”
Stokes and Atkinson were dropped for the second Test against New Zealand, with Joe Root taking over as captain for the game.
– The end
Published on:
11 Jun 2026 19:33 IST