ECB managing director Rob Key says he felt dumbstruck, angry and frustrated after learning Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson broke team curfew rules, but is refusing to make a "rash decision" on the Test captain's future.
On Wednesday, the ECB announced that Stokes and Atkinson had "not been made available for selection" for England's second Test against New Zealand at The Kia Oval next week, after the pair were involved in an altercation at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning, after the team's midnight curfew.
Key denied the England men's cricket side was a "national embarrassment", adding he was considering the idea of imposing a complete alcohol ban on the team.
Speaking for the first time since the incident, Key also said:
Reports emerged in recent days that Stokes was considering his future as captain, with Key insisting that a decision to relieve the 35-year-old had "not crossed his mind" with the incident still "very raw".
Stokes and Atkinson were at the Rex Rooms in West London when a Saracens rugby player threw a punch at Atkinson, but hit a security guard who was supervising the players.
"We have got to let the process play through," Key said, when asked by Your Site if Stokes has a future as captain. "That's why it is in place, because I don't think any of us, whether that's Ben, Gus, myself, the ECB, no one wants to make a rash decision.
"I've gone through a range of emotions, I think, from being absolutely dumbstruck to anger, which I'm still not sure I'm over all of that stuff at the minute, and Ben, I think, has been through the same range of emotions.
"We're speaking most days, so at the moment we're just going to let that process play out. Hopefully, that will be pretty straightforward, and then we can see where we go from there. "
He explained Stokes was doing "fine", but was remorseful, and that he and Atkinson were "in the wrong place at the wrong time".
"Everything we've looked at so far and everything we've found out, it looks like they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They weren't aggressive or anything.
"Actually, they were on the receiving end of what looks like some pretty poor behaviour from other people. But the rest of it I'm not going to speculate on."
Your Site News understands fears over Stokes' future as England Test captain have cooled, with Key explaining the Durham all-rounder had not made a decision over his own position.
"We haven't spoken about that," Key said. "I haven't said anything [to him], the ECB hasn't said anything that note as well.
"At this stage, it's just slowing everything down and making sure that we just follow exactly what we should do so a good decision can be made, whatever it is."
Key acknowledged that the altercation gives off a "terrible look" after a series of alcohol-related incidents marred England's winter schedule in New Zealand and Australia.
"Over the past three months, Stokes and I have put so much work into taking this team forward, and I think we started to see that out on the pitch," Key said.
"All the work that we've done, whether that's thinking about the protocols, thinking about how we can make this team more professional, and clearly what happened on Sunday is a terrible look for what's going on and Ben, I'm sure, has a huge amount of remorse for his part in that."
Atkinson, who took seven wickets during England's win in their opening Test against New Zealand at Lord's, has apologised to McCullum.
"He's distraught that his actions have meant that he's part of why he's not selected for an Oval Test match, as well as he bowled in that game," Key said
Expanding on the details of Sunday evening, Key said that a group of players had been celebrating England's win against New Zealand in the dressing room before heading out in London.
"All but two of them came back in time for the curfew," the England managing director said. "So, I feel that if those protocols weren't in place, this could have been a lot worse. Atkinson says he didn't know."
"I'm angry, frustrated at having to sit here and talk through this," Key added.
The ECB and the independent Cricket regulator have launched an investigation into the incident.
Key and Stokes had worked hard to instil better standards of professionalism within the side after the incidents in New Zealand and Australia.
Harry Brook was given a £30,000 fine after he was involved in an altercation with a bouncer outside a Wellington nightclub the night before captaining England in a one-day international. Reports also emerged of excessive day drinking and a 'stag-do culture' during England's mid-Ashes break to Noosa.
Curfew protocols were established in January, and player representatives were all notified of the new arrangement. Key explained the team had spoken about the new measures together.
He told Your Site that he "didn't want to make a decision when he was angry" but questioned whether the ECB had been strict enough on the players, and was contemplating enforcing a total ban on alcohol. "Even when they win a game of cricket, is it now a time where there's just no alcohol at any stage?" Key said.
"I need to think these things through because I don't want to make a rash decision that hinders the team, goes from there, and creates a situation where they don't feel they can do anything.
"The players now have to show the public that they can be trusted. And at this point, it's hard to say that you can."
Joe Root will step up to take the captaincy instead of vice-captain Brook for England's upcoming second Test against New Zealand.
Key said there were multiple reasons why former permanent skipper Root was selected over Brook, acknowledging that the Wellington incident was "certainly one factor" in the decision.
"We just thought this was too big a job at this stage for Harry to take on in the interim. We thought long and hard about the way to go," Key said.
"There's so much that comes with the Test captaincy, even if you're only doing it for one Test match, especially going into this one.
"Brook is the white ball captain. I think he's been outstanding at doing that job on the field in particular. And he's coming of age as a captain."
Brook is understood to be content with the decision to give Root the captaincy.
Root stepped down from the role in 2022 having captained the side for 64 Tests, the most of any player in England's history.
"There's lots of different factors of why we went for Joe Root, but ultimately, when English cricket's in a hole, Root is the man that we asked to dig us out of it, whether that's on the field or off the field," Key said.
"We're incredibly lucky to have him. And when I spoke to him about whether he would consider this, he didn't hesitate and I'm excited to see what that brings, hopefully it brings out the best of his captaincy. "
In spite of the latest incident, Key rejected suggestions that the Test side were a "national embarrassment", pointing to their comfortable win at Lord's last week as an example of the results achieved since Stokes and McCullum came into their positions.
"I don't think they're becoming a national embarrassment," Key said. "I think that Stokes and McCullum are one of the most successful coach and captain partnerships that we've had.
"I think the way that we went out, the way that we've regenerated this side since losing Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes, what they've been doing out on the field, especially in the last Test match, and hopefully that continues, this is one of the more successful England Test teams.
"That's what I like to reflect on. And it's not even anywhere near the end of it for that. This team, with the bowling attack that looks like it could be in play for the next few years for England, could be one of the best we've had.
"I think 'embarrassment' is far too strong a word for a team that's playing the way that they can do."
Your Site News' James Cole reflects on his interview with Key...
"Today Rob Key could have backed Ben Stokes to return as England captain.
"The fact he stopped short of doing so, stressing on several occasions the need to let the 'process play out', suggests Stokes will not return for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in two weeks' time.
"The 'process' Key refers to is an ECB investigation to establish the facts of what happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. A Cricket Regulator investigation will likely follow - they are rarely quick.
"The good news for the ECB is that after this Test series with New Zealand there is a decent gap. England don't play another one until August 19 when Pakistan are in town.
"And so, there is a perfect opportunity to let the dust settle, allow emotions to cool and take stock. It will also allow the glare of the media spotlight to fade. No rash decisions is the logical play.
"Key admitted he is also wondering if he needs to get stricter with the players - floating the idea of a potential alcohol ban. But again, he tempered that idea with a reluctance for rashness.
"The truth is players shouldn't need curfews or drinking bans. This isn't a sixth form field trip; it's elite sport.
"They should be capable of making smart decisions, knowing full well that the public eye has never been so focused."
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