England Leave Out Captain Stokes and Seamer Atkinson After Curfew Breach

England head coach Brendon McCullum said on Monday that his primary concern is the wellbeing of captain Ben Stokes, who was left out of the squad for this week’s Test against New Zealand at the Kia Oval. Stokes, 35, and seamer Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew after the series opener at Lord’s.

An incident at a Chelsea nightclub involving Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa is now the subject of an internal England and Wales Cricket Board investigation.

“When I first found out about it I was slightly bewildered, if I’m being honest. Then you go through a range of emotions. You go from being bewildered, on to angry, on to kind of gutted,” McCullum said.

McCullum said his duty of care for Stokes takes precedence over disciplinary questions or the future of Stokes’ captaincy. “Since then it has been about how we support these guys, whilst not overlooking the fact they have not lived up to the standards we have set for ourselves,” he said. The coach added that decisions about Stokes’ future are not being considered now.

“What will be will be down the line. Those decisions are not for now. The concern is making sure Ben is fine,” McCullum said. Stokes has been seen training with Durham in recent days and is reported to be available to play for the county against Northamptonshire on Friday.

When asked about that development, McCullum paused for seven seconds before replying: “I’m worried about Ben. That’s it.