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Ben Stokes’ future with the England nationwide cricket group stays a priority as investigations are nonetheless ongoing. As a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Stokes’ profession, English cricket legend Ian Botham has made some fascinating feedback in regards to the current controversy surrounding the group.
Nevertheless, the current controversies surrounding Ben Stokes and the England cricket group are all associated to the cricketer’s ingesting habits. Ian Botham raised a query about this on a reside dialogue panel on the Follow Cricket channel.
Ian Botham highlighted the Bristol controversy
The previous cricketer mentioned that any cricketer would wish to take a while for himself. However when and the way these two elements will work in opposition to Stokes and different English cricketers has lengthy been debated after the 2025-26 Ashes season, wherein house group Australia defeated the Three Lions 4-1.
For instance, throughout Mr Botham’s time as chairman at Bristol, Ben Stokes made headlines in September 2017 after a extremely publicized late-night brawl outdoors Mbargo nightclub. Mr. Stokes was arrested in reference to the incident and underwent a prolonged investigation course of. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) additionally took disciplinary motion in opposition to him.
Former cricketers have mentioned that they supported Stokes all through the part, however it is rather troublesome to justify what occurred off the sector.
“Some folks do not be taught, proper? It is quite simple. I imply, we as a membership, when he had his issues at Bristol, and I supported him and the entire group, I used to be chairman on the time, everybody supported, however I do not actually see how one can justify what occurred after the sport, particularly once you have been in all probability very accountable and mentioned the curfew was midnight,” Ian Botham mentioned.
Botham spoke about The Ashes 2025-26
“And for me, we liked going out for drinks, however we weren’t that apparent. Australia misplaced 2-0. What did the group do? We will Noosa for 5 days,” he added.
Following the current nightclub incident, the ECB instantly eliminated Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson from the squad forward of the second Check match in opposition to New Zealand and appointed Joe Root as captain.
Ben Stokes set to retire?
Stokes’ future is being debated as as to if he’ll retain his prestigious function with the nationwide group. Botham has no doubts about that. Some stories have recommended that Stokes can be named captain once more, however Ian Botham does not suppose so given the present occasions.
“I do not know what is going to occur now. I simply suppose one thing goes to occur both manner. I would not be stunned if Ben loses the captaincy. Possibly he walks away from the sport, however we do not know. However to be trustworthy, it was an pointless step and I believe he’ll remorse it,” Botham mentioned when requested in regards to the star all-rounder’s future with the England cricket group.
“I would not be stunned if Ben loses his captaincy.” 😳
Ian Botham talks in regards to the Ben Stokes nightclub incident. 👀
Tuesday. 8am. 📺pIc.twItter.cahmeters/9JRcqqhOkayqOkay
— Stick To Cricket (@StickToCricket) Jyoune 19, 2026
