All posts tagged: Stokes

Stokes on why it was hard to see reaction Root was getting after ENG loss vs NZ

Stokes on why it was hard to see reaction Root was getting after ENG loss vs NZ

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3 min readJun 24, 2026 11:31 PM IST England captain Ben Stokes said it hurt him as a friend when he saw the reaction Joe Root was getting after the English side was thrashed by New Zealand by 253 runs in the second Test at the Oval. Stokes was dropped from the team for the Test after an altercation involving a Saracens rugby union player in a nightclub after the 1st Test after which Root was selected as interim captain for the second Test. “It’s always difficult. I was obviously playing for Durham and watching how things were going. I guess, for me, Joe Root in particular is someone who, we’ve known each other since we were kids, and he got put into a situation which he never thought would probably have to be bestowed upon him again after walking away from captaincy. But I think that in itself shows that not only is he one of the greats of the game on the field, but I think it shows a lot about his character,” …

Ben Stokes takes responsibility after England axe

Ben Stokes takes responsibility after England axe

Published by Webster

3 min readJun 24, 2026 11:11 PM IST England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he apologised to his teammates after being dropped for the second Test for disciplinary reasons. England ultimately lost to New Zealand, and a returning Stokes admitted he had been “man enough” to own up to his mistake, while also acknowledging this is the “highest amount of pressure” he and head coach Brendon McCullum have faced as captain and head coach. Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped from the second Test against New Zealand after breaking a midnight curfew during an incident at a London nightclub, following England’s series-opening win at Lord’s. In their absence, a stand-in England side led by Joe Root suffered a 253-run thrashing at The Oval, as New Zealand levelled the series at 1-1 heading into the Nottingham finale at Trent Bridge, which begins on Thursday. When asked if he had apologised to his teammates, Stokes said: “Yeah, of course. That was one of the first things I had to do as a captain. You …

Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match

Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match

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3 min readJun 21, 2026 09:10 PM IST England on Sunday recalled captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson for the third and final Test against New Zealand which is set to start on June 25 in Trent Bridge. The duo were dropped from the team for the second Test due to ECB investigating a nightclub incident involving the two after the 1st Test. “Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in the England Men’s squad for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing in relation to their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June. Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” ECB said in a statement. “In addition to not being considered for selection for the second Rothesay Test, they have both been given a written warning as to their conduct. It was also concluded that …

McCullum on Ben Stokes, Atkinson after nightclub incident

McCullum on Ben Stokes, Atkinson after nightclub incident

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3 min readUpdated: Jun 15, 2026 11:08 PM IST England head coach Brendon McCullum said he was angry with Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident involving his captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson that led to their omission from the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. However, McCullum conveyed he is also concerned about Stokes and Atkinson. “You go from being bewildered, to angry, to gutted. Quickly through talking to Ben and Gus, my emotion turned to worry and concern, for Ben in particular,” McCullum told reporters on Monday. Stokes and Atkinson were dropped from England’s XI for the second Test, with veteran Joe Root being named interim captain. The pair breached the team’s midnight curfew and were reportedly present when an England security staff member was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player. McCullum said he is in constant touch with Stokes to ensure his well being, and decisions regarding his captaincy will be taken at a later stage. “Our concern is with Ben. Our concern is handling that situation, …

Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match

Graeme Swann on Ben Stokes after nightclub row

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3 min readJun 13, 2026 04:27 PM IST Former England spinner Graeme Swann expressed concern about the Ben Stokes incident at a night club after their 1st Test win vs New Zealand last week, saying that he hopes that it was not the end of the road for the England captain. Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson was dropped from the England squad for the second Test vs the Kiwis with the ECB saying they were not available for selection due to the investigation going on. “I don’t know. I hope it’s not the end because he’s the best captain we’ve had, arguably, since Andrew Strauss. Alastair Cook’s not going to like that. Sorry, Cooky,” “I think he’s (Stokes) a very good man manager and leads by example. He really does lead by example. That’s where he’s let himself down,” he said to PTI. Swann also said that the placement of curfew on players was not the ideal thing to do, adding that ‘the day you’re not allowed to celebrate winning a Test match for your …

Hope Ben Stokes doesn’t retire amid nightclub incident fallout: Hussain | Cricket News

Hope Ben Stokes doesn’t retire amid nightclub incident fallout: Hussain | Cricket News

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3 min readJun 11, 2026 05:54 PM IST Ben Stokes’ career has been hit with yet another off-field incident, with the England Test captain being dropped from the squad for the second Test against New Zealand after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that he and Gus Atkinson were being investigated over an incident at a night club after the first match. The ECB said that Joe Root, who was Stokes’ predecessor as England’s Test captain, will be leading the team in the second Test, with the host leading the three-match series 1-0. Former England captain Nasser Hussain has said that amid all this, it should n0t be forgotten just how much Stokes has put his body on the line for the team, stating that he hopes the all-rounder does not call time on his career in these circumstances.  “Ben Stokes has been there for England a lot,” Hussain told the Sky Sports Cricket podcast. “He’s been there as a captain, he’s been there as a player at their finest moments – 50 …

Ben Stokes, Atkinson Dropped from England Squad After Nightclub Incident

Ben Stokes, Atkinson Dropped from England Squad After Nightclub Incident

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The captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the England Squad for the Oval Test after a bizarre incident at a London nightclub. The ECB confirmed that the duo are being investigated for breaching the team’s curfew and reportedly getting involved in a brawl at Londo nightclub after their first Test Win at Lord’s. Meanwhile, Joe Root will lead England in Ben Stokes’ absence for the second test of the New Zealand tour of England 2026. England secured a 115-run victory in the first match and is currently in the 7th position of the WTC 2025-27 Points Table. This will be the first time England’s leading run scorer will captain the side in the Bazball era, and his first match in charge since March 2022. “The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June,” a statement read. Ben …

Stokes, Atkinson dropped from 2nd ENG vs NZ Test after nightclub incident

Stokes, Atkinson dropped from 2nd ENG vs NZ Test after nightclub incident

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3 min readUpdated: Jun 10, 2026 07:59 PM IST With rumours swirling around Ben Stokes future after an incident at a night club after the 1st Test vs New Zealand, England on Wednesday revealed their squad for the second Test without Stokes with Joe Root named as interim captain. Pacer Gut Atkinson, who was also involved in the aforementioned incident, was also dropped. “The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June. Yorkshire batter Joe Root will lead the team as Interim Captain. Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer and Essex batter Jordan Cox have been added to the squad,” England said in a statement. On Monday, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had said that it is investigating captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson over an undisclosed “incident” in a “nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning”. ECB …

Meet the 6 feet 5 inches, 125 kg rugby player involved in Ben Stokes night club clash

Meet the 6 feet 5 inches, 125 kg rugby player involved in Ben Stokes night club clash

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2 min readJun 9, 2026 05:15 PM IST The Saracens rugby player who was involved in a late-night incident with England captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson is believed to a 21-year-old Samoan Totoa Auvaa. Auvaa, who is 6ft 5in and weighs 125kg hasn’t played for Saracens’s first team yet, but according to reports emerging from UK, was part of a party. According to The Times, Auvaa, who part of the academy, is understood to have thrown a punch in the early hours of Monday morning intended for Atkinson, but it ended up hitting a member of ECB’s security staff. According to the report, Stokes and Atkinson were in the VIP section of the nightclub, hours after England won the first Test against New Zealand at the Lord’s. Around the same time, Saracens players were celebrating their end of the season at the nightclub. According to the Times, Saracens players and a group of England cricketers were together in the White Horse pub in Fulham and then visited at least two other pubs in …

Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson being investigated over nighclub incident after England’s 1st Test win

Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson being investigated over nighclub incident after England’s 1st Test win

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1 min readJun 8, 2026 10:53 PM IST England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday that it is investigating captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson over an undisclosed “incident” in a “nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning”. ECB said that it was investigating  “a breach of team protocols” in the hours after England beat New Zealand by 115 runs in the first Test at Lord’s. “The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men’s Test against New Zealand. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place,” said the board in a statement on Monday “We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course. The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible.” More to come… Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text …