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Ben Stokes’ future with the England national cricket team remains a matter of concern as the investigation is still ongoing. Amidst the clouds of uncertainty looming over Stokes’ career, England’s legendary cricketer Ian Botham has made interesting comments on some recent controversies related to the team.
However, all the recent controversies involving Ben Stokes and the England cricket team are linked to the cricketer’s drinking habits. Ian Botham has raised questions on this during the live discussion panel of Stick to Cricket channel.
Ian Botham sheds light on Bristol controversy
The former cricketer said that every cricketer would like to take out some moments for himself. But how and when, these are the two factors that are against Stokes and other English cricketers, who have been in the news for a long time after the Ashes 2025-26, where the home team, Australia, defeated the Three Lions 4-1.
Taking the example of his days at Bristol, where Botham was chairman, Ben Stokes made headlines in September 2017 due to a highly publicized late-night brawl outside an Embargo nightclub. Stokes was arrested for the incident and went through a lengthy investigative process. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also took disciplinary action against him.
The former cricketer mentioned that he supported Stokes throughout the entire phase, but it is very difficult for anyone to justify what happened off the field.
“Some people just don’t learn, do they? It’s that simple. I mean, we as a club, when they had problems at Bristol, and we stood with them, and I stood with them, the whole team, I was chairman then, everyone supported, but I don’t really see how you can justify what happened after the game. Especially when you were probably very much in charge, who said the curfew is midnight,” Ian Botham. Said.
Botham talked about Ashes 2025-26
He added, “And for me, we liked to go out for drinks, but we weren’t that obvious. Australia lost 2–0. What did the team do? Go to Noosa for five days.”
The ECB immediately dropped Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson from the squad ahead of the second Test against New Zealand following the recent nightclub incident and appointed Joe Root as their captain.
Will Ben Stokes retire?
There are discussions going on about Stokes’ future and whether he will retain his prestigious role in the national team. Botham has complete doubts in this regard. While some reports are suggesting Stokes to be made the captain again, Ian Botham does not think so after all those incidents.
“I don’t know where it will go now. I just think something is going to happen, whatever it is. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben lost the captaincy; he could probably walk away from the game. But I don’t know. But to be honest with you, it was an unnecessary process and I think he will regret it,” Botham responded when he was asked about the star all-rounder’s possible future with the England cricket team.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben lost his captaincy.”
Ian Botham on the Ben Stokes nightclub incident.
Tuesday at 8 am. pic.twitter.com/9JRcqqhKqK
– Stick To Cricket (@StickToCricket) June 19, 2026
