Ben Stokes (Source: AFP)
Ben Stokes and England cricket have been in the limelight for a long time now and have been criticised a lot since the ‘Nightclub Incident’.
It is important to note that the incident occurred after England’s Test victory in the first game over New Zealand at Lord's.
Stokes and Gus Atkinson reportedly stayed out past the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) midnight curfew.
While investigations into the matter are still ongoing, former England great Ian Botham has publicly shared his views on the incident and Ben Stokes.
What Happened In The Nightclub Incident Involving Ben Stokes?
The 'Nightclub Incident' controversy began when Ben Stokes and Atkinson went out to celebrate England’s win at Lord’s. According to reports, both players entered a nightclub and remained there after the ECB’s mandatory midnight deadline.
During the evening, an argument reportedly broke out in a VIP section involving Totoa Auvaa, a Saracens academy rugby player.
It has been alleged that a punch thrown during the dispute missed Atkinson and instead struck an ECB security guard, who later required medical treatment.
According to the reports, neither Stokes nor Atkinson started the fight, and neither player suffered injuries. However, both the players were left out of the second Test against New Zealand.
Ian Botham Talks About Ben Stokes
Ian Botham did not hide his frustration as he discussed the matter on the Stick to Cricket podcast. He pointed out that Stokes had previously received strong backing from Durham during his well-known Bristol incident in 2017.
According to Ian Botham, the county stood by him during a difficult period and offered full support when many questioned his future.
Botham suggested that Stokes should have learned from past experiences. He also found it difficult to understand why the England captain chose to remain out after curfew, especially given his position within the squad.
“They never learn do they?” said Ian Botham. “It’s as simple as that. "We as a club [Durham], when he had the problems in Bristol [in 2017], we stood by him, I stood by him, the whole team stood by him, I was chairman then. Everyone supported him then.
“I don't see how you can justify what happened after the game [at Lord’s], especially when you were probably very much in charge of when the curfew is, midnight.”
Also Read: Brendon McCullum Hints Ben Stokes’ England Retirement After Nightclub Incident
Ian Botham also stated that players from his own generation enjoyed socialising after matches, but argued that modern cricketers need to be more aware of the spotlight that follows them.
“We used to love going out for a drink, but we weren’t quite so obvious,” he said. “In Australia, they go down 2-0. What did the team do? Go to Noosa for five days and everyone knows what happened.
Watch the video here:
When Will Ben Stokes Play Next?
It is important to note that several reports indicate Ben Stokes may be included in the third Test match between England and New Zealand. The 3rd Test will start on June 25 and will be played at Trent Bridge.
Before that, the all-rounder has already been included in Durham's squad for their County Championship fixture against Northamptonshire.
For now, it would be interesting to see when Stokes returns to the cricket field.
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