Stokes and Atkinson cleared by Cricket Regulator over nightclub incident

The independent Cricket Regulator has taken no action against Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson over the nightclub incident; Stokes and Atkinson missed England's second Test vs New Zealand; duo have been recalled for final Test live on Sky Sports from Thursday

>The independent Cricket Regulator has taken no action against Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson over the nightclub incident which led to them missing last week’s Test against New Zealand, finding "insufficient evidence" against the pair.

>The ruling, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled for Thursday's deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

>A parallel investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also absolved Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing in an altercation involving a Saracens rugby union player, though they were issued with written conduct warnings for contravening "specific contractual obligations."

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>The regulator, which does not cover team protocols in its remit, said in a statement: "The Cricket Regulator's role is to determine whether any participant or player has breached any applicable ECB Cricket Regulations. The investigation followed multiple lines of enquiry to gather and assess evidence in relation to the events in question.

>"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.

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>"The Cricket Regulator would like to thank all those involved for their cooperation throughout the investigation."

>The ruling follows the conclusion of the ECB investigation on Sunday, which stated that a disciplinary process found "no blame" should be attached to the players for the scuffles at the nightclub, adding that fast bowler Atkinson was the "victim of unproved attacks and did not retaliate" and that all-rounder Stokes was not involved in, and did not witness, any altercations.

>Saracens declined to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News.

>The pair did play county cricket this week, for Durham and Surrey respectively, but were withdrawn from the final two days of their games ahead of their potential England comebacks.

>Stokes smashed 95 off 118 balls against Northamptonshire, while Atkinson - who took a five-wicket haul for England against New Zealand at Lord's - struck four times for Surrey against Glamorgan.

>Both have been recalled for England's third Test against New Zealand, beginning on Thursday.

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