Ben Stokes has been dropped from England’s squad for the second Test against New Zealand, raising questions about his future. The scrutiny has intensified following the nightclub incident where the allrounder and his team-mate Gus Atkinson broke the midnight curfew following the team’s win in the first Test at Lord’s.
Both the players are under investigation by the ECB an firmly under the spotlight, with Joe Root taking charge as interim skipper for the second Test against New Zealand. What the future holds for Stokes in this current situation?
There are some critics who are calling for his suspension and under such intensified criticism, former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed the allrounder, saying Stokes achievements for England as a player and skipper should not be overlooked amid the ongoing controversy.
“Ben Stokes has been there for England a lot,” Hussain told the Sky Sports Cricket podcast. “He’s been there as a captain, he’s been there as a player at their finest moments – 50 over World Cups, T20 World Cups.”
Hussain acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but not that serious that may lead Stokes of considering retirement.
“He’s been a warrior for England and he got it wrong this time – he got it horribly wrong. I don’t think that is a sackable offence. Ben will be in a dark place at the moment. I just hope Ben doesn’t think ‘I’ve let so many people down that I’m going to retire. I’m going to make an emotional decision and retire’, because I think that would be a really sad way (to end) for one of England’s greats,” he said.
Hussain said that a player of Stokes stature who has served England well deserves a better ending.
“One of England’s greats should not go out like that. I think he deserves better. I do feel a bit sad if this was the last we saw of Ben Stokes – I really hope it’s not,” he added.
