ECB introduces public alcohol ban for players after Ben Stokes incident

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have reportedly issued new guidelines for players in the aftermath of the Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson’s midnight curfew breach following their win in the Lord’s Test against New Zealand.

Stokes and Atkinson were ruled out of the second Test match against New Zealand after breaking the team’s night curfew and getting involved in a controversial incident at a nightclub.

According to a report in Telegraph, the midnight curfew will remain in place for all England players, and they are prohibited from appearing in public under the influence of alcohol. The players must also inform team management if they are out of the hotel after 10 pm.

The guidelines have been signed by ECB managing director Rob Key. However, there are no such guidelines in place for 

Stokes and Atkinson returned to play the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, after the ECB issued written warnings to both players for their conduct. However, the board concluded that neither player was responsible for any violent behaviour at the nightclub.

Stokes retires from international cricket

The duo was reportedly involved in a violent incident involving Totoa Auvaa, a player in the English rugby union club Saracens, which also left the England security guard injured.

They returned to play the third Test with England desperate to save the series. However, they ended up losing the match by 160 runs, losing the series 1-2. Ben Stokes also announced his retirement on Day 4 of the match, bringing an end to his 13-year-long career.