Stokes and Atkinson cleared of nightclub violence but warned over conduct as England captain returns

Ben Stokes will return to lead England in the deciding Test against New Zealand after an investigation found him blameless for violent conduct in a Chelsea nightclub – but the captain and teammate Gus Atkinson have been issued written warnings for breaching their contractual obligations. The England and Wales Cricket Board concluded that Stokes, 34, was not involved in the altercation that left a member of England's security staff bloodied and needing medical attention after being struck by Saracens rugby union player Totoa Avuaa. Atkinson, the 27-year-old pace bowler, was found to have been the victim of two “unprovoked attacks” and did not retaliate on either occasion, the ECB said. Stokes and Atkinson were made unavailable for England's second Test defeat by New Zealand at the Oval, which squared the series 1-1, pending a disciplinary hearing. The ECB's statement said they had “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”. Both men have been handed written warnings and were not considered for selection for the second Test but have now been named in the 15-man squad for the third Test at Trent Bridge, starting on Thursday. A parallel inquiry by the independent Cricket Regulator found Stokes and Atkinson had no case to answer in relation to the nightclub incidents. “No blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub,” the ECB said. “Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion.” Head coach Brendon McCullum welcomed Stokes’s return. “Ben will be back. He’ll be back and he’ll be captain,” McCullum said. “We have robust conversations all the way through and that’s to be expected when you’re in positions of leadership. There’s mutual respect there.” Stokes and Atkinson had been celebrating victory in the first Test two weeks ago when the incident occurred in the early hours of 8 June. They broke the team’s midnight curfew and were present when Avuaa struck the security staff member. Saracens have been approached for comment. England have also recalled seamer Ollie Robinson after a knee injury and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith after paternity leave, while Sonny Baker and James Rew – who both made their debuts in the second Test – have been left out. The squad for the decider includes Jofra Archer, Joe Root and Harry Brook. The series stands at 1-1, with the third Test beginning on Thursday.