Last Updated on 15 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
In the lead-up to the pivotal third Test match against New Zealand, Steve Harmison, via talkSPORT Cricket, discussed what conversations might be between Ben Stokes and his England teammates as he returns to captain the team.
According to reports, Ben Stokes believed that he was allowed to go out as the curfew wasn’t in place after that Test. Brendon McCullum later admitted there may have been some ambiguity as to what the curfew rules actually were. Also, Gus Atkinson went home instead of staying at the team hotel as the match was played in his home city, raising further doubts as to the management’s level of control.
Ben Stokes returns: The need for apologies, according to Steve Harmison
Despite the initial pandemonium and media frenzy that suggested the captain was in a “dark place,” the issue has subsequently been thoroughly investigated by the independent Cricket Regulator. Instead of committing a more serious infringement, the Regulator came out and stated, “you can pick these guys again,” concluding they were in “the wrong place at the wrong time,” according to Harmison.
Although Stokes’ return to the squad for the last match was made possible by the independent probe, it has revealed some division among the leadership. talkSPORT pundit Andy Goldstein claims that Brendon McCullum and the England hierarchy “literally hung him out to dry” instead of speaking to him on the phone and “got to the bottom of it within 24 hours and then come out and make a statement.” It is an approach also criticised by Nasser Hussain.
Goldstein believes that “Ben Stokes has got all the cards” and should receive a big apology from the ECB because the independent body’s conclusions have changed the balance of power. However, Harmison also believes that Stokes himself “needs to apologise” for bringing some “ill-discipline or attention towards the group that it didn’t need.”
Some tricky conversations on the way
“This cricket story is a mess, it really is” said Harmison. “I don’t know where to start, where to finish, where to go with it. Ben Stokes… how he can walk back into the dressing room on the eve of the Test match – a decider – a big Test match against New Zealand… and you boys remember that seven days ago, there was talk of Ben Stokes retiring.
“Because it sounds like when he gave his versions of the events, his bosses didn’t believe him because McCullum, Key and media frenzy of what they said in the buildup sounded as though Ben was in a dark place. It sounded as though he broke team protocols and everything that goes with it.
“For Ben Stokes to walk back in as captain looking across the room… it could be a couple of tricky hours of conversation to get everything back.”
The third Test between England and New Zealand begins at Trent Bridge on Thursday June 25. The hosts have won just four of their last 12 Tests, and pressure will grow significantly on the leadership team if they lose the series.
For more updates and news from around the cricket globe, check out CricBlog’s news hub.
