Cricket Jun 22, 2026

Ben Stokes: England captain and Gus Atkinson cleared of charges by Cricket Regulator after investigation into nightclub incident

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Ben Stokes: England captain and Gus Atkinson cleared of charges by Cricket Regulator after investigation into nightclub incident

The independent Cricket Regulator has taken no action against Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson over the nightclub incident which led to them missing last week’s Test against New Zealand, finding "insufficient evidence" against the pair.

The ruling, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled for Thursday's deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

A parallel investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also absolved Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing in an altercation involving a Saracens rugby union player, though they were issued with written conduct warnings for contravening "specific contractual obligations."

The regulator, which does not cover team protocols in its remit, said in a statement: "The Cricket Regulator's role is to determine whether any participant or player has breached any applicable ECB Cricket Regulations. The investigation followed multiple lines of enquiry to gather and assess evidence in relation to the events in question.

"Having carefully reviewed all currently available information, the Cricket Regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred. Accordingly, no further action will be taken against either player.

"The Cricket Regulator would like to thank all those involved for their cooperation throughout the investigation."

The ruling follows , which stated that a disciplinary process found "no blame" should be attached to the players for the scuffles at the nightclub, adding that fast bowler Atkinson was the "victim of unproved attacks and did not retaliate" and that all-rounder Stokes was not involved in, and did not witness, any altercations.

Saracens declined to comment when contacted by Your Site News.

The pair did play county cricket this week, for Durham and Surrey respectively, but were withdrawn from the final two days of their games ahead of their potential England comebacks.

, while Atkinson - who took a five-wicket haul for England against New Zealand at Lord's - struck four times for Surrey against Glamorgan.

Both have been recalled for England's third Test against New Zealand, beginning on Thursday.

All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Your Site

Watch the third Test between England and New Zealand, at Trent Bridge, live from 10am on Thursday (11am first ball) on Sky Sports Cricket and Your Site Main Event. .

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

County Championship: Notts knock Essex off top spot as Leicestershire claim first Division One win in 23 years vs Yorkshire

County Championship: Notts knock Essex off top spot as Leicestershire claim first Division One win in 23 years vs Yorkshire

Defending champions Nottinghamshire replaced opponents Essex at the top of Rothesay County Championship Division One after winning by an innings and 5...

England predictably beaten at The Oval after two weeks of chaos with Ben Stokes now back for series decider vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge

England predictably beaten at The Oval after two weeks of chaos with Ben Stokes now back for series decider vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge

​​​​​Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson made it beyond 12 o'clock. Shame England's batters couldn't do likewise.The captain and one of his bowlers venturing...

England predictably beaten at The Oval after two weeks of chaos with Ben Stokes now back for series decider vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge

England predictably beaten at The Oval after two weeks of chaos with Ben Stokes now back for series decider vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge

​​​​​Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson made it beyond 12 o'clock. Shame England's batters couldn't do likewise.The captain and one of his bowlers venturing...

England Women's Test squad to face India: Tammy Beaumont returns for inaugural Lord's Test match but no white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean

England Women's Test squad to face India: Tammy Beaumont returns for inaugural Lord's Test match but no white-ball vice-captain Charlie Dean

Tammy Beaumont returns for England's inaugural Lord's Test match against India this July after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, but there is...

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day five: Score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root stands in as captain for Ben Stokes at The Oval

England vs New Zealand, second Test, day five: Score, updates, video and analysis as Joe Root stands in as captain for Ben Stokes at The Oval

Why did Man City have to deal with Chelsea for Maresca?Your Site News' Kaveh Solhekol:"Maresca isn't the Chelsea manager and he hasn't been since the...

Ben Stokes: Brendon McCullum announces England captain's return for deciding third New Zealand Test

Ben Stokes: Brendon McCullum announces England captain's return for deciding third New Zealand Test

England head coach Brendon McCullum says that captain Ben Stokes will return to the side for the deciding third Test against New Zealand.Stokes and Gu...