If what I’ve read is correct then the Saracens player aimed a punch at Atkinson, missed and struck an ECB security guy. Apparently Stokes doesn’t drink anymore, the Saracens player had been part of a wider group of squad players celebrating the end of the season. I don’t understand why the supposed curfew still applies when the match was finished but we don’t know the exact details of the curfew and if it’s breached then what punishment should apply.
It’s not a good look after the winter and I suspect that they will use it to get rid of Stokes; that in itself is a worry as there’s no credible alternative captain. I don’t trust Harry Brook with a bat let alone with a coin and blazer!
I think right now the curfew needs to be a blanket "whilst in camp" situation because this is happening far too much with the England cricket team.
On the specifics the 2 sides of this are very different, Sarries literally had their season finale at the weekend, their players are in holiday mode at this point (except for any with international call-ups). that's very different to cricket players who are in the middle of an international series. I have absolutely no problem with players going out for a drink and having an end of year celebration and I'm not puritanical in any way but I think part of being a sportsman is understanding that you carry the expectations of a lot of people and there has to be some responsibility that comes with that. If it means you have a quiet drink or 2 in a small hotel bar instead of going out and getting trashed in a nightclub then you have to accept that is part of the job.
End of season/end of tour those restrictions go away and you can do what you like so it's not like anyone expects them to be saints all the time, just show a bit of common sense, just like a doctor/nurse shouldn't turn up for a shift with a hangover or a teacher shouldn't be in the pub over the road at lunchtime.
