Ben Stokes

[Terry]

Instead of being tucked up in bed in Clifton on Sunday evening, I should have been just down the road getting a big scoop.  
Stokes's carryings on aren't good for England's Ashes prospects - he could be in court when he should be hitting boundaries at the Gabba or the MCG.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/s...ht-bristol

[GrizzlyBear]

And just as your dream middle order of Stokes, Foakes and Woakes seemed set to become reality.

Could be a lively Ashes tour. Craig Overton is not unknown to the disciplinary panel.

[Terry]

(27-09-2017, 03:15 PM)GrizzlyBear Wrote: And just as your dream middle order of Stokes, Foakes and Woakes seemed set to become reality.

Could be a lively Ashes tour. Craig Overton is not unknown to the disciplinary panel.

Yes I agree.
Stokes, of course, is innocent of any criminal offence until proven otherwise.  But wandering the streets at 2.30 in the morning is probably not a great idea in the middle of an important series.  If he can get into trouble in Clifton, goodness knows what might happen in, say, the Kings Cross district of Sydney.

[Lilly]

Not sure if anyone has seen the footage of the incident? He seems to be provoked, but there can be no justification whatsoever for his actions, what was he even doing getting into that situation in the first place? As a high profile figure he is always going to be a target, just daft that at 26 years of age (he's not a youngster anymore) he ends up in that position.

[Leicester Exile]

I question whether he should be selected for the Australia tour. A higher standard is required and what if he has to miss part of the tour due to being found guilty and having to serve a sentence (community order or worse).

[The Good Mugabe]

His, alleged, conduct is not acceptable, especially as vice captain he is part of the leadership group and should be setting an exemplary example of behaviour. His actions in being out at that time, and appearing to be drunk, do raise very serious questions about his character and judgement, especially as there is a history of incidents.

If legal charges are made it would certainly arise questions over his availability for the tour, and his state of mind as his energies will be focused on preparing his defence for the court trial.

Can the ECB really trust Stokes to lead the team on tour after this ?

[GrizzlyBear]

I don't suppose his IPL franchise will care all that much - unless he's inside when that comes round again of course. Probably hastens the time when he becomes an itinerant T20 specialist.