Ben Stokes Nightclub Incident — Bristol 2017

In the early hours of September 25, 2017, England all-rounder Ben Stokes was involved in a violent altercation outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol. CCTV footage showed Stokes throwing punches at two men outside the club. He was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

The incident had enormous consequences for English cricket. Stokes was stripped of his vice-captaincy and suspended from playing for England. Most significantly, he was excluded from the 2017-18 Ashes tour to Australia — a series England went on to lose 4-0. Many believed Stokes's absence was a decisive factor in the series defeat.

Stokes was charged with affray and stood trial at Bristol Crown Court in August 2018. He was ultimately found not guilty after arguing he had acted in defence of two men who were being targeted with homophobic abuse. Despite his acquittal, the incident cost Stokes months of his career, the vice-captaincy, and an Ashes series. He later rebuilt his reputation spectacularly, becoming England's hero in the 2019 World Cup final and the Headingley Ashes Test.