Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson 'not to blame' for violent conduct during nightclub incident

Its statement added that “no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub” and that Atkinson “was the victim of unprovoked attacks”.

The pair had been stood down from duty after an incident at a Chelsea nightspot in the early hours of June 8.

An altercation took place with Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa, with an England and Wales Cricket Board probe concluding that Atkinson was subjected to two separate attacks and did not retaliate.

A member of England’s security staff was reportedly injured but Stokes was not present while the physical scuffle took place. Although both players have been warned over their behaviour, which the ECB says contravenes the terms of their employment, it is notable that they have avoided a fine and will not miss any further cricket.

The Press Association understands a parallel investigation by the independent Cricket Regulator, focusing on the question of potential provocation, found the England players had no case to answer.

A statement from the ECB read: “Stokes and Atkinson were found to have 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.

“In addition to not being considered for selection for the second Rothesay Test, they have both been given a written warning as to their conduct. It was also concluded that no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub.

“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.”

The developments end the formal part of a chaotic episode that at one stage led to fears Stokes could be stripped of the captaincy or even announce his retirement.

But there are plenty of thorny questions still to grapple with. With England due to train in Nottingham on Tuesday, uncertainty lingers over the state of his relationship with head coach Brendon McCullum.

The duo were thick as thieves for the first three years of their partnership but have had to rebuff suggestions of a growing rift since an ill-fated Ashes tour over the winter.

McCullum said he was initially angry when hearing about Stokes and Atkinson’s late-night escapades but later repeated his “concern” and “worry” over the captain’s wellbeing. Those comments are understood to have been met with bafflement by the 35-year-old. “Ben will be back and he’ll be captain. Everyone’s excited about that,” McCullum said.

“I’ve been speaking to Ben every day since the incident. I’m not going to divulge our conversations because they are confidential. But I look forward to seeing him in a few days.

“There’s mutual respect there. I anticipate we’ll be able to work together really well and I’m sure both of us still have the same vision for this team.

“Occasionally there are going to be mistakes made and you can’t walk past when standards have slipped or mistakes have been made. You address it and you try to move on.”

Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, said last week that Atkinson claimed he did not know a midnight curfew was in operation after the completion of a game.

In response, Key said the details had been communicated via the Team England Player Partnership – representing those with central contracts – and were widely known.

Asked for his view, McCullum said: “Look, even if there is ambiguity I think we’ve sat here and talked about the curfew, talked about standards. “You’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing your family, the fans, your country and you’re being paid to do it. You’ve got to have certain standards you need to adhere to.

“Whilst there may not have been a hard blueprint potentially – I mean, like a hard factual [curfew] – everyone knew what was going on.”