Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson OUT of England squad as Michael Vaughan voices major concerns

Ben Stokes speaks to the media before New Zealand first Test

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 10/06/2026

- 15:15

Updated: 10/06/2026

- 16:16

The two England stars broke curfew and were involved in a nightclub altercation on Monday

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been omitted from England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand following their involvement in a nightclub incident last week.

The pair violated team rules by exceeding a midnight curfew whilst celebrating England's 115-run victory at Lord's last Sunday.




Their exclusion comes as the ECB continues to investigate the breach of team protocols. The matter has also been passed to the independent Cricket Regulator.

Training for the second Test is scheduled to commence at the Kia Oval on Sunday.

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are out of the England squad to face New Zealand in the second Test

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are out of the England squad to face New Zealand in the second Test

|

GETTY

The 35-year-old Stokes appears to be in a standoff with cricket's governing body over the affair. Speculation that he might address the situation via social media on Tuesday failed to materialise.

Michael Vaughan, who captained England on 51 occasions between 2003 and 2008, has thrown his support behind Stokes retaining the leadership role.

Writing in The Telegraph, the former Ashes-winning skipper argued that the curfew breach should not cost Stokes his position.

"Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offence as England's Test captain? I do not think so," Vaughan stated.

He maintained that Stokes has accumulated substantial goodwill through his performances as both captain and all-rounder.

Michael Vaughan has backed Ben Stokes to retain his captaincy but does have major worries over the England captain

Michael Vaughan has backed Ben Stokes to retain his captaincy but does have major worries over the England captain

|

GETTY

Vaughan suggested the ECB must take responsibility rather than waiting for Stokes to resolve the situation himself.

"A short suspension would be fine, but this is not a big enough incident over which to lose the captaincy," he added.

Despite backing Stokes to continue as captain, Vaughan expressed unease about the all-rounder's conduct in recent months, stretching back to the unsuccessful Ashes campaign in Australia.

"He has not seemed right for a while. Over the past week, before this incident blew up, I sent a few messages to people around the England camp that I had concerns about Stokes," Vaughan wrote.

The former captain cited several troubling examples, including aggressive behaviour towards people following interviews during the Australian tour.

Vaughan also noted reports that Stokes had declined to shake hands with well-regarded figures within cricket.

He highlighted Stokes' absence from a photograph featuring former England captains during the 150th Lord's Test celebrations as particularly unusual.

"He does not seem to respect the past or other people doing their jobs," Vaughan observed.

Ben Stokes is considering whether to stand down as England captain and retire from cricketBen Stokes is considering whether to stand down as England captain and retire from cricket | GETTY

The investigation centres on events that unfolded after several Saracens rugby players were seen socialising with members of the England cricket team earlier that evening.

A confrontation involving Saracens player Totoa Auvaa reportedly escalated into a physical altercation. During this incident, a member of ECB security staff was struck.

Both Stokes and Atkinson remain subject to the ongoing inquiry into their breach of team protocols.

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were expected to be omitted from the England squad

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were expected to be omitted from the England squad

|

GETTY

The rugby club has launched its own investigation to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the episode.

The ECB had been seeking clarity on the matter before the Women's T20 World Cup commences at Edgbaston on Friday, when England host Sri Lanka. Officials at Lord's were keen to resolve the situation before Nat Sciver-Brunt's side take the spotlight.