'He’s in severe doubt' - David Gower on Ben Stokes' future as Test skipper

Former England captain David Gower has suggested that Ben Stokes' tenure as skipper of the Test side should come to an end after revelations of a scrap in a nightclub surfaced in the late hours of Monday, June 8.

Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were reportedly involved in an altercation with a Saracens rugby player at a nightclub in London. Gower reprimanded the all-rounder, accusing him of not setting the right example for the team as a leader.

“He’s in severe doubt. One of the responsibilities as a captain is to set the right tone; if you’re leading, you have to set the right example,” Gower told BBC Radio 5 Live, as reported by The Independent.

The England team management had established a night curfew after the emergence of multiple drinking-related incidents on their dismal tour of Australia in late 2025, with players such as Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell coming under the scanner for their behaviour. During this episode, Stokes and Atkinson breached the curfew after they had headed out for drinks after their 115-run win at Lord's on the eve of Sunday, June 7.

Rugby player in Stokes and Atkinson nightclub scrap named

Gower further stated that if there is a curfew established, players will have to respect it, which Stokes and Atkinson have failed to do.

“They have to sort it out. If you’ve agreed to a curfew, yes, you have to abide by it. I’ve got a lot of respect for Ben and most the things he’s done for the last three years or so as England captain.

The squad announcement for the second Test at the Oval has been put on hold, with Stokes and Atkinson not set to play a part. There exists question marks over Stokes' position as captain of the side, sentiments which Gower further emphasised.

“He has become – or, I probably have to use the past tense now – had become, 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. He will be mortified, I’m sure, to have put himself in that position in the early hours. It’s a misjudgment. You’ve put yourself in a bad position and you’ve put yourself at risk," he added.

In Stokes' absence, Harry Brook is set to lead the side as the vice-captain of the team. Brook himself was involved in an incident with a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington during the white-ball series in New Zealand before the Ashes.