Stokes and Gus Atkinson were not made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand, starting at The Kia Oval next week, after the pair were involved in a nightclub altercation in the early hours of Monday morning following the team\u2019s 115-run win in the series opener at Lord\u2019s and broke a midnight curfew.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The confrontation also featured Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa. \u201cCan Ben captain again? I think we\u2019ve just got to let that play out. The decision, as I look forward, is about what\u2019s best for the team and what\u2019s best for Ben as well. I haven\u2019t got an answer for that at the moment, to be honest. It\u2019s still very raw, certainly for Ben, Brendon (McCullum, head coach), myself, and the ECB.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBen has been through a range of emotions, as you would in this situation. A lot of people have had phone calls (where) you\u2019re just in disbelief, then you get angry. There\u2019s a load of things, and I\u2019m still not sure I\u2019m over those at the moment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTime is probably the best thing for all of us. Nobody wants to make any rash decisions, whether that\u2019s on Ben\u2019s side or the other end. We\u2019ll take the next step when we get to that,\u201d Key told reporters in a press conference on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked specifically on Stokes\u2019 future as England\u2019s Test captain, Key replied, \u201cI\u2019m not saying that. At this point in time, it has not crossed my mind to get that far ahead. As far as sacking, or any of that stuff, we haven\u2019t got anywhere close to being that far in the process.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Further talking about contemplating banning alcohol in the national set-up, Key explained, \u201cI\u2019m trying to give myself a bit of time, but do we need to look and say, have they (the rules) actually been strict enough. Even when they win a game of cricket, is it now a time when there\u2019s just no alcohol at any time and at any stage? The players now have to show the public that they can be trusted. At this point, it\u2019s hard to say they can.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the protocols; in the conditions of employment, there are several ways you\u2019re expected to behave as an England cricketer. We don\u2019t want our players out late at night in alcohol-related incidents.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ve become a national embarrassment. I think that Stokes and McCullum are (one of) the most successful coach and captain partnerships we\u2019ve had. So I think that\u2019s far too strong a word.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the protocols; in the conditions of employment, there are several ways you\u2019re expected to behave as an England cricketer. We don\u2019t want our players out late at night in alcohol-related incidents.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe just thought this was too big a job at this stage for Harry to take on. Ultimately, when English cricket\u2019s in a hole, Joe Root is the man that we ask to dig us out of it. Whether that\u2019s on the field or off the field. We\u2019re incredibly lucky to have him. And when I spoke to him about whether he would consider this, he didn\u2019t hesitate.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n