Warner as example of outlook for Stokes
SHANE Watson says besieged Englishman Ben Stokes should be banned from the entire Ashes series and cites the undeniable resurrection of Australian opener Dave Warner among his reasons.
Watson insisted Stokes be excluded despite flying into New Zealand yesterday.
The 36- year- old stressed that a “precedent needs to be set” with the English allrounder, who remains under British police investigation following a wild brawl outside a Bristol night spot.
Watson also suggested that coming down hard on Stokes, who was stood down indefinitely by the England and Wales Cricket Board, would improve the all- rounder further – as it has with Warner.
Four years ago, the Aussie opener was banned from the opening two Tests of the 2013 Ashes series following his own Birmingham bar altercation with English rival Joe Root.
He has since made considerable changes, on the field and off, to ensure he is a more composed and popular mainstay in all forms of the game.
Asked if he expected to see Stokes play against Australia this summer, Watson replied: “No, I don’t. And I think a precedent needs to be set to ensure something like this never happens again.
“Nobody wants to see a guy like Ben Stokes missing cricket, but you also don’t like seeing an athlete of his calibre, a world- class all- rounder, allegedly doing what he did.
“It shouldn’t happen. The general public shouldn’t have to see their hero, a guy they look up to, doing that.”
Watson used Warner as an example of how Stokes could benefit from punishment.
“Look at Dave. We’ve seen what he’s been able to do ( since the Root incident), the way he’s turned around not only his on- field performances, but himself as a person,” Watson said.