An emotional Ben Stokes has publicly defended the England cricket team following a social media video involving Ben Duckett, which has added to the turmoil surrounding their underwhelming Ashes tour in Australia. The team has faced significant on-field challenges, compounded by the news that fast bowler Jofra Archer is sidelined for the last two Tests due to a side strain. Gus Atkinson will replace Archer for the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while Jacob Bethell steps in for Ollie Pope, who has struggled in the number three batting position.
Stokes emphasized the importance of mental health for players, stating that their welfare is his top priority as captain. He drew on his own experiences, recalling the media scrutiny he faced nearly a decade ago. In 2017, Stokes was found not guilty of affray following an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol.
The controversy surrounding the video, which the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating, emerged shortly after Rob Key, the ECB’s cricket managing director, acknowledged the need to look into reports of excessive drinking during the team’s mid-tour break in Noosa. England currently trails the series 3-0, with their hopes of reclaiming the Ashes severely diminished.
In a pre-match media conference, Stokes expressed his commitment to supporting his teammates. “How I handle this moment right now is the most important thing to me,” he stated. “The welfare of everyone in there, and probably some certain individuals, is the most important thing to me right now as England captain.” Stokes highlighted the weight of external pressures, noting that the scrutiny from both traditional media and social media can be overwhelming.
Despite the challenges, Stokes remains focused on the remaining matches. He affirmed, “We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip – it’s not gone anywhere near to plan, whatsoever.” He reiterated his determination to secure victories in the last two Tests, stating, “I’m very determined to leave Australia with something positive to look back on.”
The recent social media video, which has not yet been verified, reportedly shows Duckett in a state of disorientation, unable to recall his accommodation details. The footage is believed to have been recorded prior to the second Test in Adelaide and references England’s struggles in the series.
Stokes acknowledged that the team’s performance has been under scrutiny and accepted the criticism that comes with being 3-0 down in a series. “When you’re 3-0 down and you’ve lost the series, everything you say, everything you do gets scrutinised… and rightly so,” he remarked.
As the team trained at the MCG on Wednesday, they confirmed Archer’s injury, which raises concerns about his future in Test cricket, given his history with injuries. Archer had emerged as a standout player in the series, taking nine wickets at an average of 27.11 and contributing with the bat in the Adelaide Test.
Stokes concluded that leadership skills are crucial at this juncture, emphasizing the need for the team to unite and focus on their cricketing goals. He stated, “We need to make sure that we come together and make sure the focus is still heavily on the cricket – we still have a helluva lot to play for.”
With the Boxing Day Test looming, all eyes will be on England to see if they can turn their fortunes around and finish the series on a high note.
