England's cricketers could face a complete ban on alcohol while on international duty as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) grapples with the fallout from a nightclub incident that led to Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped for the second Test against New Zealand. The incident, which occurred at a Chelsea nightclub in the early hours of Monday, involved a breach of a midnight curfew and an alleged fight, though neither player is believed to have been an active participant.
ECB Considers Stricter Protocols
Rob Key, the ECB's managing director of men's cricket, admitted on Thursday that it is now difficult to assert that players can be trusted to behave responsibly. "Everything we've looked at so far, everything we've found out, it looks like they were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Key said. "They weren't aggressive or anything, and actually it looks like they were on the receiving end of some pretty poor behaviour from other people." The curfew was imposed after the Ashes and applies throughout the current Test series, part of new player protocols that the ECB says were communicated orally and formally to the Team England Player Partnership. Atkinson claims he was unaware of the curfew, but Stokes was deeply involved in imposing it.
Stokes' Future Uncertain
Stokes' future as captain and player remains in doubt. Asked about his return to the side, Key said: "I don't see why not," but was less forthcoming on the captaincy. "We've got to run the investigation, find out what happened exactly," he said. "I think the decision is about what's best for the team and what's best for Ben as well. It's not just about what happened on Sunday night, it's about the best thing moving forward. We need time, because that's a big decision." Stokes has been given time to consider his future, with the ECB not seeking to influence his decision.
Shift in Stance on Drinking Culture
During the Ashes, Key denied that the England team had an unhealthy drinking culture, but that messaging has now changed. "Do we need to look at actually have the [regulations] been strict enough? Even when they win a game of cricket, is it now a time when there's just no alcohol at any time and at any stage?" he said. "I need to think through these things because I don't want to make a rash decision that actually hinders the team, and creates a situation where they don't feel they can do anything. But the players now have to show the public that they can be trusted. At this point it's hard to say they can." Key acknowledged that efforts to regain public trust have been undermined: "We have spent a lot of time over the past few months trying to make sure we're going to regain the trust [of the public]. I'm not sure we've done that. In fact, I know we haven't done that with what's happened here."
Joe Root Steps In as Interim Captain
Joe Root has been appointed interim captain for the second Test in Stokes' absence, rather than vice-captain Harry Brook, who had his own nightclub incident last November. Key said Brook's incident was "not the main one, that's for sure" in the decision, and that Brook "has no issue whatsoever" with Root being chosen. "There's lots of different factors why we went for Joe Root," Key said, "but ultimately, when English cricket's in a hole, Joe Root's the man that we ask to dig us out of it."
Key Defends Stokes and McCullum Partnership
Despite the controversy, Key insisted that Stokes has been "outstanding" as a captain and Brendon McCullum "outstanding" as a coach. "I think that they are [one] of the most successful coach and captain partnerships we've had," Key said. "This is one of the more successful England teams and that's what I like to reflect on. And it's not anywhere near the end of it. This team, with the bowling attack that looks like it's in play in the next few years, can be one of the best we've had."
