All-rounder Ben Stokes surprised the cricket world by announcing his retirement. From international cricket during the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The surprise decision brought the curtains down on the all-rounder’s successful career as England captain across all formats.
New Zealand won by 160 runs to take the series 2–1. It was England’s seventh defeat in their last nine Test matches, increasing pressure on the team and drawing criticism from fans and former players. It is noteworthy that Stokes was dropped from the team of the second Test due to a nightclub incident.
Nightclub incident… was the final push – Alastair Cook on Ben Stokes’ retirement
Ben Stokes’ retirement comes just weeks after a nightclub incident involving him and fast bowler Gus Atkinson following England’s opening Test win. Although both players were cleared of any violent conduct, the England and Wales Cricket Board found them in breach of team rules.
Former England captain Alastair Cook believes that this incident played a major role in Stokes’ decision to retire. Cook said that a combination of Ashes disappointment, differences with head coach Brendon McCullum and off-field controversy pushed Stokes towards his final decision.
“He hasn’t just woken up and thought about it – he’s had four months off and come back and he hasn’t enjoyed it and felt something different. Whether it was related to the Ashes result, he and McCullum weren’t on the same hymn sheet and it got awkward, then the nightclub incident. He was teetering on the edge and that was the final push,” Cook said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.
The board is silent – David Lloyd questions ECB’s handling of Ben Stokes’ retirement
After the retirement of Ben Stokes, England has started searching for a new Test captain. Head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key will have to decide who will lead the team, with Harry Brook and Joe Root emerging as the leading candidates.
Former England cricketer and commentator David Lloyd suggested there may be deeper issues behind the scenes and questioned the board’s silence following the announcement.
Lloyd said, “What if he is completely angry at his employers? I think there will be more to come because given the plaudits of his peers and around the world it seems important that the board is calm.”
Enough is enough – Michael Vaughan criticizes Brendon McCullum after England defeat
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized head coach Brendon McCullum after Ben Stokes’ retirement. Vaughan said England’s recent Test performances have been well below expectations and major changes are needed to improve the team’s results.
“Enough is enough. English cricket needs to be better than this. I’ve written about it, I think Baz McCullum is a great guy – but he’s not a great coach.”
“As former players and fans we should all be aiming to reach the top. England cricket should be aiming to be the number one team in the world. At the moment, where are we? Seventh and we have won two games in 10 matches. Those wins have come in the cesspit at Lord’s and at the MCG, which was a two-dayer… so the only two games we have won have been at the Farmers Ground.”
