Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson nightclub controversy: ECB delivers final verdict

England’s Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes (Photo AP) England captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into the nightclub incident which occurred after their team’s win over New Zealand earlier this month. The pair have already received a written warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching the curfew and have been left out of the second Test against New Zealand. However, both players are expected to return for the series-deciding third Test, which starts at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday. On Monday, cricket’s independent regulator confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against any player after a review of the matter was completed. The controversy stemmed from events following England’s victory in the opening Test, when Stokes and Atkinson stayed outside the team’s midnight curfew and visited a nightclub in London. During the same evening, a team security officer was allegedly hit by a rugby player from Premiership club Saracens. Cricket’s regulator has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and said it examined a range of evidence before reaching its conclusion. “After carefully reviewing all information currently available, the cricket regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that any breach of regulations has occurred,” the body said in a statement. According to the regulator, investigators carried out “several lines of inquiry to collect and evaluate evidence” before deciding that the case did not require further action. The episode reignited debate about the culture in England’s men’s set-up, particularly following the criticism that followed the failed Ashes tour of Australia, where reports of excessive drinking and unprofessional behavior attracted widespread attention. While the off-field issue is now resolved, attention quickly shifts back to cricket. England and New Zealand head into the third and final Test with the series level at 1-1, setting up a crucial match at Trent Bridge.