Botham wants Stokes back now

SIR Ian Botham has called for the immediate recall of Ben Stokes and called the England Cricket Board “dinosaurs” over their treatment of the star allrounder.

The playing future of the England vice-captain was thrown into doubt after footage emerged of a street brawl outside a nightclub in Bristol in September in which he threw 15 punches in one minute and injured a hand.

Stokes is still facing further police inquiries into the incident.

But Botham believes England needs Stokes, who is now playing in New Zealand with provincial side Canterbury, to have any chance of retaining the Ashes.

“I haven’t worked out how he can play in New Zealand sanctioned by the ECB but can’t be here representing his country,” he said.

“It’s a contradiction. He’s fit enough so what’s the problem?

“The ECB is full of dinosaurs because the law of the land is you are innocent until proven guilty. The law is not the ridiculous rules and ideas of the ECB.”

Botham, the 62-year-old former champion all-rounder, was this year elected chairman of Durham County Cricket Club, which Stokes plays for in England.

Botham says the 26-yearold is the No. 1 player in the world he would go to see.

“Ben Stokes is box office … and that’s what attracts supporters to cricket,” he said.

Botham said the England bowlers had not been “aggressive enough” so far and as well as bringing in Stokes he believes another fast bowler is in line for a recall.

“Mark Wood is over in Western Australia with the England ‘A’ team and reports are he’s bowling quick,” he said.

“England need that as some of these Australian need a few belters up their nose.”