Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has resumed his public war of words with Sir Ian Botham after retiring from international cricket. The latest exchange came after Botham sarcastically welcomed Stokes into the “has-beens” club during the first ODI between England and India at Edgbaston.
Stokes ended his 15-year international career after England’s 2-1 home Test series defeat to New Zealand last month. After retiring from international cricket, the all-rounder has returned to Durham and resumed training ahead of the upcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup match against Derbyshire.
You’ve become one now – Ian Botham revives public feud
Ian Botham revisited his war of words with Ben Stokes while speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special. Appearing alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan during a broadcast in support of the Bob Willis Trust, Botham welcomed the recently retired Stokes to what he described as a “has-beens” club.
“As we know, Michael Vaughn and I… we don’t know what we’re talking about. Some old guys. Ben, if you’re listening, congratulations, you’ve joined the club. You’re an old member now.”
During England’s Ashes tour of Australia in November last year, Stokes chose an intra-squad practice match at a local club ground instead of the traditional warm-up programme. After former players criticized the decision, Stokes responded by saying that modern teams cannot prepare like previous generations.
“There are many factors that play into why we can’t prepare the way we have in the past.”
It’s better to be ‘something that’s happened’ than something that never happened – Ben Stokes hits back at Ian Botham
Ben Stokes responded to Ian Botham’s comments on social media platform X with a funny post. The former England captain continues the public exchange between two of England’s greatest all-rounders.
“The quote ‘What has never happened is better than what never happened’ originates from Lord Ian Botham.”
The quote “What has happened is better than what never happened” is from Lord Ian Botham. https://t.co/VbaWNg75Sv
– Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 15, 2026
Stokes and Botham have regularly exchanged public comments over the past year, with their relationship becoming increasingly strained following the Ashes tour of England.
Earlier, Botham had also criticized Stokes on the Stick to Cricket podcast on a late night outing after England’s win at Lord’s. Recalling his time as Durham chairman during the 2017 Bristol incident, Botham questioned Stokes’s judgment and leadership.
“Some people just don’t learn. When everything happened at Bristol, the club stood firmly behind them. I was chairman at the time, and everyone supported them. I find it difficult to understand what happened after the game at Lord’s, especially when you were the person responsible for imposing the midnight curfew.”
Ian Botham and Ben Stokes left lasting legacies in England cricket
Ian Botham is one of the greatest all-rounders in Test cricket history. He finished his career with 383 Test wickets and 14 centuries, with his performance in the 1981 Ashes series being one of the most famous in cricket history. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has made his reputation by performing well in some of England’s biggest matches.
Stokes played a key role in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup win and the unforgettable Headingley Ashes Test against Australia. He also transformed the England Test team as captain during the baseball era, and led the team with an aggressive approach that changed their playing style.
Now his international career is over, Stokes will focus his attention on county cricket. The former England captain is preparing to play for Durham in the upcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup, where he will begin the next chapter of his playing career.