Stokes and Atkinson are likely to miss the remainder of the NZ Tests, while Stokes' captaincy hangs by a thread.
And their actions are being investigated by the ECB as they broke team curfew to do so and then got involved in an altercation that escalated into a physical confrontation, further intensifying the spotlight on the incident.
The incident adds to the number of off-field scandals that have dogged the career of Stokes, one of England's most prominent cricket players. The episode, which occurred shortly after worries about the team's drinking culture emerged during the Ashes tour of Australia, is the most recent blow to English cricket's reputation.
In light of the mounting rumors surrounding Stokes, former England all-rounder Ravi Bopara advised caution, emphasizing that the current inquiry should be given time to complete before any decisions are made.
Bopara emphasized Stokes' significance to English cricket and the accountability that accompanies being one of the major players in the game.
"I think it's important that the right process is taken and we don't jump to any conclusions, because that wouldn't be fair to Ben [Stokes] or English cricket. Ben's a huge figure for English cricket, and with that comes huge responsibility, like any top-level sport or any elite player. Let's just hope the correct process is taken and then everything concludes," Bopara said on Sky Cricket.
He also stated that it would be unfortunate if Stokes chose to retire due to the fallout from the nightclub incident and stated that it would be a harsh outcome for one of the most influential cricketers.
"That [retirement] would be a sad way to go. If it is because of that, then that would be a very sad way to go. I think that would be a little bit extreme. If he's retiring for other reasons, whether he's had enough of playing cricket or his body can't handle it, that's a different story. It would be a shame to see him go on the back of this situation," he concluded.