Cricket Regulator takes no further action against Stokes, Atkinson

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson will face no further action after the Cricket Regulator concluded its investigation into events that took place on June 7-8. Following multiple lines of enquiry and a review of the available evidence, the regulator determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a breach of any applicable ECB Cricket Regulations.

"Having carefully reviewed all currently available information, the Cricket Regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred. Accordingly, no further action will be taken against either player," the regulator said in a statement.

The investigation related to an incident following England's victory in the first Test against New Zealand, when Stokes and Atkinson breached the team's midnight curfew and were reportedly present during an altercation that also involved an ECB security staff member and a Saracens rugby player.

With the investigation ongoing, the ECB ruled both Stokes and Atkinson unavailable for selection for the second Test. The pair later returned to county cricket, with Stokes scoring 95 for Durham against Northamptonshire and Atkinson taking 4 for 61 for Surrey against Glamorgan, before being withdrawn midway through their respective matches and subsequently recalled to England's squad for the third Test after being cleared during a disciplinary hearing.

The ECB confirmed that "no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub". The board stated that Stokes "was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident", while evidence showed that Atkinson "was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion".

However, both players were found to have breached contractual obligations requiring England players to maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket. They were issued written warnings in addition to being made unavailable for selection for the second Test.

Meanwhile, England suffered a 253-run defeat in the second Test at The Oval after making five changes to the side. The series is level at 1-1 heading into the decider at Trent Bridge.

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