Stokes and Atkinson 'blameless' for violent conduct

England cricket captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have been found to have "breached contractual obligations" but were deemed blameless for "violent conduct" in a London nightclub, according to an investigation. The two players were made unavailable for England's second Test against New Zealand after breaking the team's midnight curfew while celebrating victory in the first Test. During the outing, Saracens rugby player Totoa Avuaa struck a member of England's security staff, leaving him bloodied and requiring medical attention. A disciplinary hearing by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) determined that Stokes and Atkinson "breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket." Both have received written warnings, with no further action beyond their removal from the second Test. They have been named in the squad for the deciding Test at Trent Bridge, starting Thursday, with Stokes restored as captain. A separate inquiry by the Cricket Regulator found that Stokes and Atkinson have no further case to answer. An ECB statement said Avuaa attacked both Atkinson and the security guard. "No blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub," the ECB said. "Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion."