England Test captain Ben Stokes is understood to be considering retirement from international cricket after his involvement in an incident in a nightclub after England’s win over New Zealand at Lord’s, according to media reports.
Stokes and Gus Atkinson are under investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over an “undisclosed” incident at a night club in the early hours after its first Test win over New Zealand.
The England Test captain only plays the longest form of the game, and according to reports, is considering stepping away from the game before he is sanctioned with disciplinary action.
A two-match suspension would rule him out of the remainder of the New Zealand series, and England’s next series is against Pakistan in August.
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His performances on the field have come under the scanner. Though he remains a threatening bowler, his returns with the bat have diminished significantly over time.
England cricketers came under intense scrutiny over their drinking culture during the New Zealand and Australia tours last winter, which prompted a midnight curfew for the players while in Sri Lanka and India for the T20 World Cup in February.
Before the Ashes, white ball captain Harry Brook was struck by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand after being denied entry to the venue, while opener Ben Duckett was caught on camera under the influence of alcohol following the second Ashes Test in Australia.
Published on Jun 09, 2026
