Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson investigated by ECB over nightclub 'incident' after New Zealand Test win

England Test captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson are being investigated in relation to a potential 'breach of team protocols' following the first Test win over New Zealand, the ECB have announced.

England secured a comfortable 115-run victory at Lord's in their first Test match of the home summer.

Ollie Robinson starred with the ball on his return to the England side, taking seven wickets in the match, while Durham opener Emilio Gay hit a second-innings half-century on Test debut.

There was criticism of the Lord's pitch for the amount of uneven bounce it provided, with the MCC issuing an apology.

They acknowledged that the pitch had 'shown more variable bounce than we would have wanted', adding: "We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are naturally frustrated when a surface falls short of those expectations."

With the match finishing on day four, both sets of players are in the middle of a 10-day break before the second Test gets underway at The Oval on June 17.

ECB issue statement on Stokes, Atkinson

On Monday night, the ECB released a statement confirming that Stokes and Atkinson are both being investigated over an 'incident' that is alleged to have occurred following the first Test.

The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men's Test against New Zealand," the statement reads.

"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place.

"We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course.

"The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible."

No additional information has been released at this stage.

Atkinson, who flew home early from the Ashes last winter due to a hamstring injury suffered before the fifth Test, took 5 for 30 with the ball during New Zealand's second innings at Lord's.

Stokes, meanwhile, recorded scores of 12 and 0 with the bat, though did take the crucial wicket of Devon Conway during New Zealand's unsuccessful chase.

Ben Stokes has been England's Test captain since 2022 (Image: Getty)

"To come off here at the end with the victory, after everything's that happened [Ashes defeat], it's very satisfying," Stokes said.

"But also it's a bit like, 'Well, good start, but we've still got five more Test matches of this summer to go'.

"It's a foundation for us to keep building towards another successful summer hopefully."

Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key all stayed in their roles following an ECB review into England's 4-1 Ashes series defeat to Australia last winter.

All-rounder Stokes has captained England in 43 Test matches, winning 24 of them.