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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFormer England captain Michael Vaughan<\/a> has backed Ben Stokes<\/a> to remain England skipper despite the controversy that led to his suspension from the second Test against New Zealand.Stokes was left out of England’s squad for the ongoing Test at The Oval after breaching a team curfew following the opening match of the series at Lord’s. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson was also stood down after both players violated the midnight protocol set by the England and Wales Cricket Board.The incident has generated intense debate about Stokes’ future, with speculation ranging from a possible resignation as captain to retirement from international cricket. The 35-year-old has not yet publicly addressed the matter.Speaking on The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show, Vaughan acknowledged that Stokes had made a serious mistake but insisted that the all-rounder deserved the opportunity to continue leading England because of everything he has contributed to the national side.\u201cI think Ben Stokes has done so much for English cricket: he screwed up, he knows that,\u201d Vaughan said.The former England captain admitted the situation reflected poorly on the team, particularly because the breach involved the captain himself.\u201cWe all know he screwed up and it\u2019s a terrible look for the team when the captain breaks the protocol.”However, Vaughan also questioned whether the ECB could be considering a longer-term move away from Stokes as leader.\u201cBut there\u2019s something in me that just wonders whether the ECB have kind of gone: \u2018OK, is it time to move Ben Stokes out of the way?\u2019\u201dDespite those concerns, Vaughan made it clear that he hopes Stokes is given another chance.\u201cI hope not. If there\u2019s someone that\u2019s earned the right to come back as the captain of this team, it\u2019s Ben Stokes.\u201dThe ECB’s decision to suspend Stokes and Atkinson came after a night out in London that reportedly ended in a confrontation involving Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa.While backing Stokes’ return, Vaughan also praised the ECB for acting decisively once the incident emerged.\u201cI actually think this week they\u2019ve dealt with this really well,\u201d said Vaughan, referring to the ECB.\u201cThey\u2019ve got it out there into the public domain quickly.\u201dVaughan acknowledged that handling the issue would have been particularly difficult for England managing director Rob Key, who had spent recent months working closely with Stokes on improving team standards and culture.\u201cI don\u2019t think it will have been easy for Rob Key [England\u2019s managing director] to deal with this because he\u2019s been working with Ben for three or four months on this protocol of making sure the culture is a little bit better.\u201dAt the same time, Vaughan felt disciplinary action was unavoidable.\u201cI do think they had to suspend him.\u201dWith Stokes unavailable and questions continuing over his future, Joe Root<\/a> has stepped in to captain England for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.<\/div>\n