Relief to England team, ECB investigation on Ben Stokes and Atkinson completed, captain returns in the third test.

New Delhi . In the disciplinary investigation conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), England Test captain Ben Stokes has been given a completely clean chit in the nightclub dispute case. After the investigation, it has been made clear that Stokes was not present at the scene of the incident at that time, nor was he found to have any connection with any kind of violent incident.

After this investigation, the ECB has included Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson in the England team for the third and decisive Test match against New Zealand. Earlier both the players were kept out of the second Test due to disciplinary reasons where the captaincy of the team was taken over by Joe Root but in that match England had to face defeat by 253 runs.

The whole matter came to light after the Lord’s Test on the night of 8 June when both players were accused of violating team curfew rules. Following this, reports came in the British media that Gus Atkinson was involved in a brawl in a nightclub. According to reports, a rugby academy player had tried to attack him but the matter escalated to the point of injury to a security guard.

A detailed investigation by the ECB revealed that Ben Stokes was not present at the nightclub during the entire incident. The board clarified that Stokes was not part of any dispute nor did he witness the incident, although both he and Atkinson have been given written warnings for breaching team rules.

The investigation into Gus Atkinson found that he was the victim of an unprovoked attack and that he did not retaliate in any way, thus he was not convicted of any violent incident.

Despite this entire controversy, the ECB has issued a warning to both the players under disciplinary rules and has emphasized on following the team’s code of conduct. Now the series between England and New Zealand has reached a 1-1 draw and the third Test will be decisive in which England will return under the captaincy of Stokes.

The England team announced for the third Test includes Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Joffra Archer, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and other key players, which is expected to make the match even more exciting.