The Ben Stokes controversy continues to create headlines, but Joe Root has defended the England National Cricket Team environment. As questions grow over discipline inside the dressing room, Joe Root does not believe England has a drinking problem despite the recent nightclub incident involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
Stokes and Atkinson were left out of the squad for the second Test against New Zealand. The duo is currently being investigated for allegedly breaking team rules during a night out following England's 115-run victory over New Zealand in the opening Test at Lord's. However, Michael Vaughan defended Ben Stokes amid ECB investigation.
With Ben Stokes unavailable, Joe Root is leading the England National Cricket Team in the second Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team at The Oval. It will be a special moment for the experienced batter, who is returning to the leadership role more than four years after handing over the captaincy to the star all-rounder.
The nightclub controversy has put Ben Stokes under massive pressure, with questions being raised about his future. The discussions about disciplines within the squad have been going on everywhere, and Stokes is disappointed with how events unfolded.
England's team management has already tightened rules in recent years after several off-field incidents during overseas tours, including the Ashes, where players’ heavy late-night outings and visits to casinos attracted massive backlash. As a result, stricter team rules and curfews were introduced to improve discipline and avoid further controversies.
Joe Root admits mistakes but rejects alcohol ban
With ECB considering imposing alcohol ban on the England National Cricket Team, Root does not believe such a step is necessary. He feels the current group of players is professional and responsible enough to manage themselves without a complete ban.
Joe Root said at the pre-match press conference, "I don't necessarily think that's the way to go. I don't think there's a drinking culture within our team. I think, like I said, there have been occasions where we've let ourselves down and we've got things wrong.”
The stand-in captain continued, “We have to accept that and move forward from that and learn from that, but I also think that when you work towards something for a long time, there should be opportunities and chances where you can celebrate that and enjoy that with the team.”
Joe Root backs team celebrations, but urges players to know their limits
The England batting icon has stressed that not every single player in the team drinks alcohol, but players should still be allowed to celebrate together, but noted that players must know when and where to celebrate and should behave responsibly so that problems do not happen.
Root signed off by saying, “Not everyone drinks anyway within our group, but you should be able to get together and celebrate that and spend that time. And some of my greatest memories and fondest memories have been in the dressing room afterwards.
So, that's good fun and good, good stuff that you can do off the back of winning and what you work towards for a long period of time, but you've got to pick the right times and the right places, and I think that's the important thing.”
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