England stars Stokes and Atkinson investigated over nightclub incident | Cricket | Sport

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board for a “breach of team protocols” following England’s first Test victory against New Zealand. The ECB confirmed in a statement that Stokes and Atkinson “were in a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place”.

The ECB added: “We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course. The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible.”

England sealed a commanding 115-run triumph over the Black Caps at Lord’s on Sunday in their first Test since their Ashes humiliation.

England skipper Stokes guided his side to victory, despite voicing his displeasure over the quality of the Lord’s pitch, while Atkinson wreaked havoc with second-innings figures of five wickets for 30.

The ECB also investigated reports of players drinking excessively during a break from the series in the town of Noosa.

Ahead of the New Zealand series, Brendon McCullum had promised to have a “firm grip” on the squad.

“You’re bringing up young men, they’re in an environment where there is a lot of pressure, there’s lots of distractions,” McCullum said. “They’re young guys who are growing up on the world stage under the brightest lights and sometimes they’re going to make mistakes.

“Ultimately your job as the leader of the organisation is to try to make sure that we aren’t making those mistakes because they’re not helpful. In an ideal world they would never happen. It’s not always an ideal world.

“We’re just going to make sure that we’re looking after these guys whilst also occasionally using a firm grip to ensure that we are not making those same mistakes again.”