Ian Botham has accused Ben Stokes of never learning his lesson, after the England captain broke a midnight curfew and became embroiled in a nightclub incident that has cost him the captaincy – and possibly his international career.
Stokes, 35, and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped for the ongoing second Test against New Zealand at The Oval after they stayed out beyond England’s midnight curfew while celebrating going 1-0 up in the series. The pair were caught up in an incident at Chelsea’s Rex Rooms involving Saracens academy rugby union player Totoa Auvaa. The England and Wales Cricket Board quickly launched an investigation.
“Ian Botham warns Ben Stokes may quit cricket after the England captain is expected to be stripped of the captaincy following a nightclub curfew breach.”
The Cricket Regulator’s expedited inquiry concluded on Thursday after Stokes was interviewed by the independent disciplinary body. Results are expected on Friday morning, with both players thought to have received a one-match ban – already served by their omission from the second Test – and an unspecified fine.
England are positive Stokes will return for next week’s third Test at Trent Bridge, but according to i newspaper, not as captain. Interim captain Joe Root is expected to lead the team again in Nottingham. A report in the Telegraph, however, suggests a softening of attitudes and that Stokes is likely in line to return as captain. Whether Stokes would captain after Trent Bridge remains unclear, with the issue potentially deferred until later in the summer; England’s next Test is not until mid-August against Pakistan.
Stokes initially considered stepping down from the role and retiring from cricket altogether. The all-rounder has been cleared to play for Durham in their County Championship game against Northamptonshire starting on Friday.
Botham, the honorary chair of Durham, fears Stokes will walk if the captaincy is permanently removed. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Ben was to lose the captaincy, he might walk away from the game,” Botham told the Stick To Cricket podcast. “But I just don’t know. It was an unnecessary procedure and one that I think he’ll regret.”
Referencing Stokes’ 2017 Bristol bar brawl, which ended with him being cleared of affray, Botham added: “They never learn, do they? It’s as simple as that. We as a club, when he had the problems in Bristol, we stood by him, I stood by him…”
Doubts about Stokes’ future beyond Trent Bridge persist, with tensions in his relationship with head coach Brendon McCullum adding further uncertainty to a career that now hangs in the balance.