Top News

LondonJune 9. The captaincy of England Test captain Ben Stokes is in danger after his alleged involvement in a brawl that took place in a London nightclub late on Sunday night. There is also speculation that Stokes may also announce his retirement from international cricket.

Stokes and Atkinson scuffle with rugby player Totoa in night club

In fact, on the same night after England’s spectacular 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at the historic Lord’s Ground on Sunday, Stokes and his fellow cricketer Gus Atkinson allegedly had a scuffle with Saracens rugby player Totoa Auwa in a nightclub.

ECB is investigating violations of team protocol

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has started an investigation into the incident. “An investigation is underway into a breach of team protocol following the conclusion of the first Test against New Zealand,” the ECB said in a statement. We are currently gathering additional information to the case. The team for the second Test will be announced in due course. Information about the matter has also been given to the ‘Cricket Regulator’ and further information will be shared once any update is received. However, ECB sources insisted that the cricketers were not the aggressors.

The security officer got injured in the scuffle and had to get stitches.

After winning the first Test, some England players met the Saracens team, who were celebrating the end of their domestic season with a pub crawl in London, The Telegraph reports. Eventually they reached Chelsea’s rec room, where two England players, Stokes and Atkinson, were present, who clashed with Auwa after the team imposed a midnight curfew. The situation even reached a scuffle. The security officer got injured in the scuffle and had to get stitches.

Saracens said in a statement that the club is aware of the incident. The club is gathering information to this and is in touch with the concerned authorities and the people involved. After this process is completed, the matter will be reviewed and appropriate action will be taken.

ECB gave option – Stokes to leave captaincy on his own terms, continue Test career

According to media reports, on Monday the ECB had given Stokes the option to leave the captaincy, that is, he should leave the captaincy on his own terms and continue his Test career. If Stokes does not choose this option, then in such a situation the ECB can still remove Stokes from his position.

However, a big possibility has also emerged that Stokes may announce his complete retirement from international cricket. It is believed that 35-year-old Stokes is considering this aspect as tension has arisen between him and the governing body after the latest incident.

It is noteworthy that Stokes has not played T20 International after the 2022 T20 World Cup and ODI match after the 2023 World Cup. Now he plays only Tests. But it would be a big decision to end a 15-year career at such a high level in this manner. Another option for Stokes could be to take a break. He also took indefinite leave of absence due to mental health reasons in 2021, a year before taking over the England captaincy from Joe Root.

Vice captain Harry Brook can handle the captaincy of the Test team for the first time

It is expected that England may postpone announcing its team for the second Test until there is some clarity from Stokes. The second Test against New Zealand is scheduled to start at the Oval from June 17 and Stokes and Atkinson could face suspension in any case for this match as the incident in the rec room on Monday has been referred to the Independent Cricket Regulator. In such a situation, currently vice-captain Harry Brook can take over the captaincy of England in Tests for the first time.