Former England captain Nasser Hussain has “stricken out loud and clear” to defend Ben Stokes, following rising concerns about his future with England. The skipper of the national team, Hussain, has asked the countryman right-hander to not make an emotional retirement decision after seeing Stokes taken on for a night club row and abscusing from his country’s second Test against New Zealand.
Anger reignited last week after reports surfaced that England had gone outside the hours of darkness at Lord’s after their first win from top sportsman Ben Stokes ahead of fellow England player Gus Atkinson. The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been set up to investigate and has reignited the discussion of discipline for England.
The effect of that was that Stokes wasn’t called up for the second Test against the Kiwis and former skipper, Joe Root, was determined to lead his team. The development has rekindled the doubts regarding Stokes’ future at international cricket, some of whom have even been recommending his suspension.
He nonetheless argues that the encounter shouldn’t eclipse Stokes’ huge legacy of service to English cricket. The ex-skipper called Stokes one of England’s greatest match-winners and a player who’s made a difference in a range of games over the years.
Hussain has admitted that Stokes is in for a major lose, but that does not have to be linked to his name or make a hasty decision to retire. There is no point in insisting that the ‘all-rounder’ is at a difficult time and he has been a warrior for England, he added, pointing out that he will need some help in the coming weeks, not pressure into ending his career.
It is a situation that continues to be reviewed due to further investigation by the ECB. Stokes will likely be a subject of regret for now to England’s management and supporters who will hope he can learn from the controversy, come back stronger and play alongside key plans in the team’s future.