England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, has vowed not to make a “rash decision” over Ben Stokes’ captaincy after the all-rounder and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were stood down from selection for the second Test against New Zealand following a late-night incident in a London nightclub.

The pair breached a team curfew after England’s victory in the first Test at Lord’s and became embroiled in an altercation at the Rex Rooms in West London. A Saracens rugby player is understood to have thrown a punch aimed at Atkinson, which instead struck a security guard. Stokes and Atkinson are now the subject of investigations by both the ECB and the independent Cricket Regulator.

Key admitted he was “dumbstruck” and “angry” when he learned of the events, but insisted that stripping Stokes of the captaincy is not on the agenda while inquiries continue. He stressed that the situation remains “very raw” and that due process must be allowed to run its course before any long-term calls are made.

Key said Stokes is remorseful but maintains that both players were “in the wrong place at the wrong time” rather than acting as aggressors. Early indications, he suggested, point to the England duo being on the receiving end of “pretty poor behaviour from other people”, though he refused to speculate further while statements are being taken.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of England’s off-field culture after a winter marked by alcohol-related controversies. Curfews were introduced in January following reports of heavy drinking on tour and a high-profile altercation involving Harry Brook in Wellington. Key conceded that the latest episode is “a terrible look” given the work he and Stokes have put into tightening standards.

Key is now weighing whether to go further and impose a complete alcohol ban, even after victories, but warned against overreacting in a way that might “hinder the team” or create an atmosphere where players feel they “can’t do anything”. He said the squad must now prove to the public that they can be trusted.

With Stokes unavailable, Joe Root will return to the captaincy for the Oval Test. Key said the responsibility was “too big a job” for vice-captain Brook at this stage and described Root as the man English cricket turns to “when it’s in a hole”, praising his willingness to step back into the role.