Ben Stokes Apologises to Teammates After Curfew Breach

Ben Stokes has apologised to his teammates after a curfew breach led to his suspension from the second Test against New Zealand.

The 35-year-old was withdrawn ahead of England's heavy 253-run loss at the Oval after he and teammate Gus Atkinson breached the squad's curfew following their win in the series opener at Lord's.

Stokes has since returned to lead the side again, having gone through a formal disciplinary process that ended with a written warning from the ECB.

The all-rounder tried to shift attention toward the importance of the upcoming match rather than dwell on the controversy, ahead of the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge.

Asked directly whether he had apologised to his teammates, particularly given how badly an inexperienced side struggled in his absence, Stokes confirmed it was among the very first things he did as captain.

Stokes explained that the situation reached far beyond himself, affecting Root, the wider squad, and people outside the playing group too, and that he had to take responsibility for his actions.

He said: “You look at the situation, and it affects more than just myself. It affects a lot of people. It affected Joe Root, the squad, the people outside the playing environment."

Stokes and Atkinson return for the third Test, stressing unity ahead of Trent Bridge, after a turbulent two weeks within English cricket.

The independent Cricket Regulator found no case against Stokes worth pursuing further, after he went through a formal disciplinary process.

Stokes didn't hide how much the public reaction affected him personally, particularly seeing the effect that he had on Joe Root from public criticism.

He stated: “Seeing the effect that I had on Joe from public criticism as stand-in captain hurt me deeply.”

The all-rounder has now put the controversy behind him, focusing on the upcoming match and leading his team to victory, after a written warning from the ECB and a formal disciplinary process.