Ben Stokes’ future as international cricketer in jeopardy? Everything you need to know

The England cricket team’s drinking problem has stirred up quite some issues for the England and Wales Cricket Board. In their recent Ashes series, which resulted in a 1-4 loss for the English players, multiple players of the England cricket team were spotted gambling and drinking in a casino resort. Adding fuel to the fire, video of England player Ben Duckett, struggling to find his way back to the team hotel, in a heavily intoxicated state went viral online, sparking fierce backlash from the British media. ECB’s managing director, Rob Key, expressed frustation and calling the behavior of players drinking in between gap days as “unacceptable”.

After losing the test series, Stokes had asked the squad not to go out partying, but as reported by The Telegraph several players ignored him and were out drinking.

ECB officially brought forward the midnight curfew which applied to every single night on their match weeks and on every player and coaching staff.

Ironically, the captain, Ben Stokes who fought to give players total freedom ended up breaching this policy alongside another English player, Gus Atkinson, who are both currently under investigation. The incident happened on June 8 in London at the Rex Rooms nightclub after England’s victory over New Zealand at Lord’s.

After celebrating their win, Stokes and Atkinson made friends with Saracens rugby team, who were having their season end gathering, and stayed past ECB’s midnight curfew. Approximately 1 in the morning, a physical accelaration broke out as Totoa Auvaa, a Saracens rugby player, swung a punch at Atkinson.

It missed the cricketer but struck an ECB security official who was supervising the players. The security official needed stitches later on.

Both players are under investigation and are expected to be suspended for the remainder of the series. Stokes is said to have been contemplating resigning as England’s test captain, some reports even suggesting retirement from international cricket.

Atkinson, who had claimed a five-fer in Lords, is also expected to be dropped for the next match alongside Stokes, which is a massive blow for the fast bowler.

Reports suggest Harry Brook, captainof England in limited overs cricket, is expected to take charge in the next match against New Zealand in The Oval.