Ben Stokes should not be sacked as England Test captain, says Michael Vaughan.

The show is an unwelcome controversy for the ECB following a 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia over an off-field row.

All England players and staff were given a midnight curfew after Harry Brooke, Jacob Bethel, Josh Tonge and Ben Duquette were found to be drinking alcohol on the night.

Captain Stokes has been breaking the curfew since his debut for England. Curfew was held on Sunday evening despite New Zealand’s 115-run chase at Lord’s.

In a statement on Monday evening, the ECB “It’s investigating a breach of team protocols,” he said. The statement confirmed that all-rounder Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson had been staying at a night club until the wee hours of the morning, breaking curfew.

It was later revealed that a member of the security staff had been punched by Saracens player Ava. The workers found blood and medicine.

If Stokes is replaced as England captain on an interim basis, Test vice-captain Brooke will be a candidate to replace him.

The situation presents a problem for the ECB after Brooke was involved in a nightclub incident in October.

The 27-year-old was attacked by a bouncer in a Wellington club the night before he led England.

When details of the incident emerged in January, Brook was given a final warning and fined for his behaviour, the ECB said. The fine was initially thought to be £30,000, although there were later suggestions it could be as high as £50,000.

Bethel and Tongue were also in Wellington. All three men were examined by the inspector, who gave the three cautions.

“The problem with ECB chief executive Richard Gould and director of cricket Rob Key is their poor handling of Brooke’s situation,” said Vaughan, the BBC’s Test match specialist.

“They allowed him to continue as captain, quietly and very casually, putting him in a position where he would come down hard on other minor offenses in the future who break team rules.

“They hit Brooke with a fine, not a suspension. Fines don’t matter to these guys. So when those at the top management let the team get away with so many things, don’t be surprised if it happens again.”