Key considers imposing alcohol ban on England team

Harry Brook is Stokes' vice-captain in the Test team, yet the captaincy has been passed to Joe Root for the second Test beginning on Wednesday.

Brook, 27, was involved in a nightclub controversy of his own when he was punched by a bouncer in Wellington in October, the night before leading England in a one-day international against New Zealand.

And although Key said there were "many reasons" why Brook had not been chosen to skipper in the second Test, the former Kent batter admitted it would have been "pretty hard" to make Brook captain considering what happened in Wellington.

"That would be one of them," said Key, when asked if Wellington was a reason for Brook not to be elevated to Test captain. "That's not the main reason, that's for sure.

"I just don't feel it is the right time. That's a decision we came to. The Test captaincy is a massive job, even in an interim basis, especially going into this next Test match and everything Harry would have to deal with."

The scrutiny of England's off-field activities during the winter was compounded by some dreadful performances on the field in a 4-1 Ashes series defeat.

The ECB conducted a review into the tour of Australia, and opted to keep Key, Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum in their posts.

Stokes' record as captain - 24 wins from 43 matches - gives him the best success rate of any skipper since 1981, but the constant stream of controversy is overshadowing his reign and at risk of damaging the reputation of the game in this country.

Key denied this England team have become a "national embarrassment".

"Stokes and McCullum are two of the most successful coach and captain partnership we've had," said Key. "This is one of the more successful England teams and that's what I like to reflect on.

"No, I don't think they've become a national embarrassment."

The defeat of New Zealand at Lord's was a small step in the right direction for England following the Ashes defeat.

Yet, once again, Key has been left to explain the actions of his players.

Key, who played 15 Tests for England, said news of this latest indiscretion left him with a "sinking feeling, then anger, then disbelief".

And he said he shares the frustration of any supporters who have grown tired of the behaviour of the England team.

"I can understand how they feel, because that is exactly how I feel with this situation," said Key. "Here I am again talking about this. That is incredibly frustrating, so I can only imagine how they feel.

"There is so much work that Ben and myself have put in, so much time spent on the phone – I think the overriding thing was shock that it was Ben involved in this.

"All the things that we have been working on, every single thing, whether it's within the dressing room, within that side, all the work we've tried to do to reconnect the game - it feels like we've just been smashed in the face with that.

"When you look at what has happened it is hard to defend anything that has gone on at the moment. I believe that we are on the right path, and that is really hard for me to be able to prove. We will be judged by our actions going forward, as we are being judged now."