Former England captain David Gower has recommended that Ben Stokes should step down as Test captain following reports of a nightclub incident that occurred late on Monday, June 8.
Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were reportedly involved in a confrontation with a Saracens rugby player at a London nightclub. Gower criticized Stokes for failing to set a proper example as a leader.
“He’s in severe doubt. One of a captain’s responsibilities is to set the right tone; if you’re leading, you have to set the right example,” Gower told BBC Radio 5 Live, as cited by The Independent.
The England team management had introduced a night curfew following several incidents related to drinking during their difficult tour of Australia in late 2025. Players like Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell faced scrutiny for their behavior. Stokes and Atkinson broke the curfew when they went out for drinks after their victory at Lord’s on Sunday, June 7.
Gower emphasized that players must respect curfews, something Stokes and Atkinson have neglected.
“They have to sort it out. If you’ve agreed to a curfew, then you must abide by it. I have a lot of respect for Ben and most of what he has done as England captain over the last three years.
The announcement of the squad for the second Test at the Oval has been delayed, with Stokes and Atkinson not expected to participate. There are doubts regarding Stokes’ role as captain, a concern that Gower further highlighted.
“He has become— or, I probably have to use the past tense now — a very important figure as a leader of that team. I don’t know what he’s thinking at the moment. Regret could be the least of it. I’m sure he feels mortified for putting himself in that position in the early hours. It’s a misjudgment. You’ve put yourself in a bad position and at risk,” he added.
In Stokes’ absence, Harry Brook is expected to take over as captain. Brook was previously involved in an incident with a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington during the white-ball series in New Zealand before the Ashes.