England cricketers Stokes, Atkinson cleared by investigation panel over nightclub incident

England captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson have been cleared by the independent Cricket Regulator due to insufficient evidence. Both players are set to return to the squad for Thursday's series-deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge

London: England cricket captain Ben Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were cleared Monday by the sport’s independent oversight panel following an investigation into a nightclub incident that occurred after the team’s victory against New Zealand earlier this month.

Stokes and Atkinson were already scheduled to return for the decisive third Test match—starting Thursday at Trent Bridge—after receiving written warnings from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for a breach of team protocols. The duo had been dropped from the second Test, which England subsequently lost.

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Following its own inquiry, the independent Cricket Regulator announced on Monday that “no further action will be taken against either player.”

Stokes and Atkinson had broken a midnight curfew after winning the first Test and were inside a London nightclub when a team security official was reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens.

The Cricket Regulator, the body tasked with monitoring compliance and integrity within ECB regulations, stated that it investigated “multiple lines of inquiry to gather and assess evidence” regarding the events of June 7–8.

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

The fallout from the incident has drawn renewed scrutiny onto the culture surrounding the England men’s cricket team, echoing the off-field issues that marred their previous Ashes tour of Australia, which was plagued by reports of excessive drinking and unprofessional conduct.

The three-match Test series against New Zealand remains tied at 1-1 ahead of the series finale in Nottingham.