Aus coach steers clear of row

SAKER, WHO ENJOYED A LONG SUCCESSFUL STINT WITH ENGLAND AS THEIR BOWLING COACH, HAS REFUSED TO BE DRAWN INTO THE CONTROVERSY BUT PRAISED BEN STOKES AS A PERSON.

MUMBAI: Ben Stokes’ teammates and former colleagues have extended support after he was suspended indefinitely by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), with his former Australian coach David Saker refusing to comment on the controversy.

Saker, who enjoyed a long successful stint with England as their bowling coach, has refused to be drawn into the controversy but praised Ben Stokes as a person.

“I know Ben personally, I think he’s a good man but I’m not going to comment on something in the English rooms,” Saker was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“It’s their decision to make and we’ll just concentrate on making sure we play well for the rest of this series. They have to deal with that themselves,” added Saker, who faced the media after Australia’s win in the fourth ODI against India at Bangalore on Thursday.

James Vince, who will be touring Australia for the Ashes, said Stokes is a ‘great lad’. “It must be a very tough time for him and his family. I know him pretty well and he’s a great lad,” Vince was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“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,” he added. Former England cricketer Graeme Swann appeared to be extending support to Stokes, who has had a career replete with controversies so far.

Swann told the Mirror and also published the same comments on Twitter, “If that video (published on The Sun) is what they are going on, then Ben Stokes is a bit of a hero for me.”

Swann added, “Are we living in a world where someone comes at you with a bottle and you’re not allowed to fight back?”