Ben Stokes' position as England Test captain is hanging by a thread following an independent referral to the Cricket Regulator.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched an immediate investigation into a "breach of team protocols" after Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson broke a strict midnight curfew.

The incident took place in the wee hours of Monday (June 8) morning at a nightclub in Chelsea, London, following England's 115-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's.

Reports claim that Stokes could end up being sacked as captain, while Atkinson could be axed from the squad as a consequence of the incident.

While the ECB refrained from sharing full details, it has been reported that the duo got into an altercation with rugby players from the Saracens academy, who were hosting an end-of-season party.

The confrontation reportedly began when a rugby player allegedly threw a punch aimed at Atkinson. The punch missed Atkinson and instead struck an accompanying ECB security guard, requiring urgent medical attention and stitches.

"Stokes and Atkinson breached the team's new midnight curfew and were embroiled in a melee with a Saracens academy player," a report in The Telegraph said.

The report further claimed that the ECB sources are adamant the England cricketers were "not the aggressors" during the brawl. Local police were not called, and no arrests were made at the scene.

"The Saracens player caused this and has a reputation. I would not want the England cricket captain to lose his job over this," the report quoted a source as saying.

Meanwhile, the ECB has issued a statement, saying: "Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place. We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course."

Test vice-captain Harry Brook is the primary candidate to take charge if the ECB strips Stokes of his role.