Ben Stokes and Maro Itoje Involved in Nightclub Altercation
Night Out Turns Chaotic
England's cricket captain Ben Stokes and rugby star Maro Itoje reportedly enjoyed double rum and Cokes worth £25 (approximately Rs 3193) before a nightclub incident escalated into a brawl involving players from both sports, as detailed in a report by a news outlet. Stokes and his teammate Gus Atkinson were seen celebrating England's recent Test victory against New Zealand at the White Horse pub in Parsons Green, southwest London, alongside rugby internationals.
However, a few hours later, a confrontation erupted over table space in the VIP section of Rex Rooms in Chelsea, known for its vibrant nightlife and open until 3:30 am. The two venues are located just 2.3 miles apart, roughly a 16-minute drive. Reports indicate that Saracens player Toto Auvua attempted to punch Atkinson but accidentally struck an England Cricket Board security guard instead, which intensified the situation.
Details of the Incident
Fortunately, Stokes and Atkinson reportedly emerged from the altercation without injuries. The dispute over VIP tables at Rex Rooms is said to have sparked the verbal confrontation. The Saracens organization confirmed that one of their players was involved in the incident on Monday night. According to the report, the two cricketers, who had been drinking near England's Kensington hotel, were not the instigators of the fight. The White Horse pub is located less than a mile from their hotel.
Stokes arrived at the White Horse around 9 PM, and staff noted that he appeared to be 'tipsy' at that time. Before leaving around 11 PM, he reportedly ordered several large rounds, including multiple double rum and cokes priced at £25 each. There is a strong camaraderie between the cricket and rugby players, with Ben Earl being a close friend of Zak Crawley, and Jamie George having co-founded a local pub with other former England players.
Stokes' Future in International Cricket
In light of the nightclub incident, Ben Stokes is reportedly contemplating retirement from international cricket. The England Cricket Board (ECB) is currently investigating Stokes and Atkinson for potential breaches of team protocols. Senior cricket correspondent George Dobell expressed concerns on talkSPORT, suggesting that Stokes might take the initiative to step down before the ECB makes any decisions. 'I fear from everything I hear that Stokes is going to act first. And, regretfully, I hear that he is going to step down and possibly even retire,' Dobell stated. He added that he hopes Stokes can navigate this situation as he has in many challenging games before.