Former England captain Michael Vaughan has strongly backed Ben Stokes amid the fresh controversy in the middle of the ongoing crucial three-match Test against New Zealand at home.
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson reportedly broke the England National Cricket Team curfew after the team’s 115-run victory in the three-match Test series opener against New Zealand at Lord’s. After the incident, Geoffrey Boycott demanded 'suspension' for Stokes.
The matter became more serious after an argument allegedly turned into a physical confrontation, putting Stokes under fresh scrutiny. The incident has left many wondering whether the England captain should face strict action, but Vaughan is against this idea.
Michael Vaughan has admitted that breaking team rules is not ideal, but it should not cost Ben Stokes the captaincy. The former captain has pointed out that Stokes has done too much for England over the years to be judged only on one incident.
Michael Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offense as England’s Test captain? I do not think so. Stokes has a lot of credit in the bank for all he has done for England as captain and all-rounder.”
Amid chaos, Harry Brook became world's number one Test batter. He also feels the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should take responsibility for making a clear decision.
Vaughan urges ECB to back Ben Stokes
Vaughan has stressed that if punishment cannot be ignored, then a short suspension could be considered for Stokes, but his mistakes are not so big that they cost him the captaincy. He also believes that experienced players can make mistakes and still remain strong leaders inside the dressing room.
Vaughan has further explained, “There is no way that those making the big decisions at the ECB have the same credit in the bank. We are now at the stage that they either put their necks on the block and say, “Right, we are sacking you for that offense," or they back him and move on.
The ECB is hoping Stokes decides on its behalf. But it has to be brave enough and strong enough to do what it thinks is right. If that is to sack him, then fine, but I do not agree with that decision on this issue. A short suspension would be fine, but this is not a big enough incident over which to lose the captaincy.”
Vaughan dismisses dressing room Respect Concerns
The former England captain also questioned how the ECB can remove Stokes from the captaincy. He rejected the notion that Stokes would lose the respect of his teammates because of this episode, saying experienced players remain strong leaders inside the dressing room despite the mistakes.
Vaughan added, “I do not see how you can tell Stokes he is not captain anymore just for going over the curfew by a couple of hours after a win. I also do not buy the fact he will have lost respect in the dressing room or will struggle to impose authority in the future.”
He also feels England needs the same calm and confident Ben Stokes who transformed the team's approach after taking over as captain. The cricket pundit also pointed out that too much pressure and frustration can affect both leadership and performance on the field.
Vaughan urged the England team management and ECB to get Stokes back to how he was ‘when he first started as captain.' He admitted that the all-rounder must be worried about his batting and he is under pressure.
The Englishman also raised concerns about Stokes' eye injury that he sustained earlier this year. He suggested that if Stokes is not seeing the ball as clearly as before, it could be affecting his batting, but only the England captain himself knows the real situation.
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