‘England have no chance in Ashes without Stokes’
SYDNEY: Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes England “haven’t got a hope in hell” of winning the Ashes if all-rounder Ben Stokes is sidelined following a street brawl outside a Bristol nightclub.
Stokes, vice-captain of the Test side, was named in England’s 16-man squad for the Ashes tour starting in November but was suspended on Thursday until further investigation into the incident.
“They can’t win without him (Stokes) for a number of reasons,” Chappell said.
“Obviously his ability is the main thing, but also, he’s a match-winning player and those sort of players drag the rest along with them and make them better. He’s probably one of those players inspired by playing against the better teams and again that has a flow on effect to the fellas that don’t have that sort of confidence. I don’t think they’ve got a hope in hell without him.”
MUCH NEEDED FOR THE ASHES: BORDER
While the Australian side may consider the suspension of Stokes a boost to their chances, former captain Allan Border believes the five-match Test series would be spoiled without the firebrand allrounder.
“He is one of those cricketers you would go to watch play,” Border said. “He’s just got something about him, the aggressive nature of his cricket is exciting and it would be a real blow if he doesn’t come.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said whatever the outcome of the case, Stokes has let himself down.
“I am all for players having a bit of downtime,” Vaughan said. “In the world of cricket, with the players travelling all the time, you do need a bit of downtime, but he (Stokes) has to look himself in the mirror,” Vaughan added. “I just don’t understand why he would want to be in a bar at 2:30 in the morning on the Monday, before a game on the Wednesday. He is putting himself in a place where he is a target. He is a very famous person these days.” Stokes has been a match-winning figure for England since making
As a dad, if I watched that (video) and Stokesy was my son I’d be patting him on the back and saying, ‘Well done, mate’. He is a teammate who has always got your back.
GRAEME SWANN, ex-spinner Tough time for him but he’s such an important cog in that England team, hopefully it all gets sorted with and he’ll be on that plane to Australia. I know him well and he is a great lad.
JAMES VINCE, Eng cricketer
his debut against Australia in 2013. In 39 Tests, he scored 2,429 runs and picked up 95 wickets.
AUSTRALIA COACH QUIET ON STOKES ROW
Stokes’s former Australian coach David Saker, who is in India as chief coach with the Aussie team, refused to comment on the issue. Saker, who enjoyed a long successful stint with England as their bowling coach, said, “I know Ben personally, I think he’s a good man but I’m not going to comment on something in the English rooms.”
Former England cricketer Graeme Swann appeared to be extending support to Stokes.
“If that video (published on The Sun) is what they are going on, then Ben Stokes is a bit of a hero for me,” he said. Swann added, “Are we living in a world where someone comes at you with a bottle and you’re not allowed to fight back?”