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The England national cricket team is going through a difficult and unwanted situation at the moment, as Test captain Ben Stokes was involved in a late night nightclub incident following their dominant win over the New Zealand national cricket team in the first Test at Lord’s.
Stokes moved to London, where things reportedly got out of control in a nightclub. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson was also with him at the time of the incident. It is being said that a player from the Rugby Academy was also involved in this heated argument.
ECB took strict action against Ben Stokes
After this, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took strict action and removed Stokes from the responsibility of captaincy for the second Test against New Zealand. The decision has surprised many as Stokes is the captain and one of England’s biggest match-winners.
But this incident has now put him under severe pressure, and the cricket world is even talking about whether he might retire from international cricket. However, Steve Harmison has backed Ben Stokes while hitting out at the ECB over the nightclub controversy.
Nasser Hussain came out in support of Ben Stokes
Amidst this controversy, former England captain Nasir Hussain has strongly supported Ben Stokes. Cricket pundits believe that this is a very disappointing and emotional period for Stokes and any major decision taken now can badly harm his career. Before him, Michael Vaughan had supported Stokes.
The Sky Sports Cricket Podcast quoted Nasser Hussain as saying: “Ben Stokes has been there a lot of times for England. He’s been there as a captain; he’s been there as a player in his finest moments – 50-over World Cups, T20 World Cups.”
Hussain also clearly said that Stokes has done a lot for England cricket in the last few years. He believes that even though what happened was wrong, it should not end his career or force him into retirement, because taking emotional decisions in such a situation may lead to regrets later.
Ben Stokes deserves better: Hussain issues big warning about emotional call
The former England captain also feels that Stokes might be thinking deeply about his future and talking to close advisors before taking any steps, but he does not want to end his journey like this. There are reports that after the nightclub controversy, Stokes may step down from captaincy and may also retire from international cricket.
Hussain also said, “He’s been a warrior for England, and this time he got it wrong – he got it very, very wrong. I don’t think it’s a dismissable offence. Ben will be in a dark place at the moment. I hope Ben doesn’t think, I’ve let so many people down, that I’m going to retire.”
“I’m going to have to make an emotional decision and retire because I think it would be a really sad way for one of England’s great players to go out. One of England’s great players shouldn’t go out like this. I think he deserves better. I’d be a bit sad if this was the last we saw of Ben Stokes – I really hope that doesn’t happen.”
It is noteworthy that England had defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s last week. The second Test against New Zealand is scheduled to start from June 17 at The Oval.
