ECB managing director Rob Key says Ben Stokes remains under no formal threat of losing the England Test captaincy, but the issue is far from settled. Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been left out of the second Test against New Zealand at The Kia Oval after breaking curfew following a nightclub incident in West London.

Key said he felt angry and frustrated, but wants the ECB and the independent Cricket regulator to finish their investigation before judging the players. Stokes is remorseful and has not decided whether to continue as captain, while Atkinson has apologised to Brendon McCullum and said he did not know about the curfew.

The timing is awkward for England after Atkinson took seven wickets in the Lord’s win over New Zealand and Joe Root has been handed the captaincy for the Oval Test. Key also said Harry Brook’s earlier Wellington fine made interim leadership too much, as the ECB weighs stricter rules, including a possible alcohol ban.