England captain Ben Stokes has been included in Durham’s 15-man squad for Friday’s County Championship clash with Northamptonshire.
Stokes was dropped for this week’s second Test against New Zealand after he and seamer Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew following the series opener at Lord’s.
The 35-year-old is yet to comment publicly on the incident amid suggestions he could resign as skipper or even retire, but he has been included in Durham’s squad.
England coach Brendon McCullum said his initial reaction of bewilderment and anger at Stokes breaching team protocols has given way to “worry and concern” following the nightclub incident.
The night ended with a member of England’s security staff being reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens in a nightclub, where Stokes was present.
The saga has heaped more scrutiny on the professionalism and culture around England’s Test team – led by McCullum and Stokes – following a humiliating Ashes tour, after which a midnight curfew was reportedly imposed on England’s players and staff.
Rob Key, England’s director of cricket, last week said the England and Wales Cricket Board was considering imposing a full alcohol ban on the England team, with the most recent Ashes tour highlighting an apparent drinking culture that still exists.
McCullum said his preference would be to allow players to celebrate their wins, just not to “excess.”
Root: Stokes in a good place but feels like he let himself down
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England captain for the second Test gives his verdict on Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breaking the team curfew after the first Test
Joe Root says “there isn’t a drinking culture” and feels there is no need for an alcohol ban.
The stand-in skipper for the second Test against New Zealand at The Kia Oval refused to disclose what was said with his good friend Stokes last week.
But he told Sky Sports: “I’ve spoken with Ben, he seems in a good place in the last week or so.
“There’s been a few incidents where guys have let themselves down, but I don’t necessarily think that’s a fair reflection of our dressing room. We’ve got to obviously own it and know that that is not okay, but at the same time, I don’t think that’s a fair reflection on us as a team. We work incredibly hard.
“As a cricketer, the amount of time and pressure that you spend away from home, away from your families, in high-pressure environments, and mistakes have been made. We have to learn from those clearly, and we have to move on from those quickly, and we have to earn the trust of everyone back by being as professional as we can, and putting good performances in.
“I think Ben feels like he’s let himself down, right? My main concern is, always, you look at the person and make sure that they’re okay, so that is first and foremost the most important thing, and then in terms of this week and moving forward as a team, it’s concentrating, making sure that everyone is fully on task and understanding of what’s ahead of us and what an exciting opportunity we have.”
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Watch the day two of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket on June 18 from 10am (first ball 11am).
