Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Daily mail.

sussexpob wrote:Its all a bit silly isnt it. After being the sole detractor of Ben for ages, I now find myself reading articles thinking WTF is going on.

"BEN STOKES FARTS - OUTRAGE. BOTHAM RECOMMENDS DEATH PENALTY PUNISHMENT".

How quickly friends become enemies. I disagree with him hitting someone, but the attempts to dig the claws in all over now seem a bit ridiculous. Sadly reflective of a very bored media.

So he hit a vet? So what. Why should that matter!

Agree. So what if it was a vet? A combat-trained individual should have had more sense. So should Stokes, of course, but frankly it doesn't matter if the guy was a veteran, a doctor or an unemployed layabout.

yuppie wrote:

sussexpob wrote:I also take it from the amount of "who can replace him" things floating about, the majority of the press think he isnt going.

Lastly, I find it laughable that one publication admitted to being bullied/in cahoots with the ECB on what they printed about players.

Which publication was that SP?

Lawrence Booth at the mail made a comment about a previous drinking infraction being covered up in July.

sussexpob wrote:

yuppie wrote:

sussexpob wrote:I also take it from the amount of "who can replace him" things floating about, the majority of the press think he isnt going.

Lastly, I find it laughable that one publication admitted to being bullied/in cahoots with the ECB on what they printed about players.

Which publication was that SP?

Lawrence Booth at the mail made a comment about a previous drinking infraction being covered up in July.

Michael Vaughan claiming Stokes was out drinking until 3am during a test match in Manchester and the ECB prevented the papers from publishing the story, saying it would not look good ln the team.

Durhamfootman wrote:pity it wasn't Hale and Pace

If it was, you'd think that Stokes would have far less problem actually connecting. He had a fair few swings before he finally made contact.

I'm not sure the iron grip with which the ECB has asphyxiated the media makes any sense anymore. It used to feel like the dying print media (especially) had to accept the rule of the ECB in order to get access. But now it seems as if a dying sport needs the media in order to get publicity. If a newspaper/website has a story connected to cricket, they should publish it and report the game honestly. Do what they are supposed to do and what they haven;t done. Not entrapment or personal stories, but news that relates to the performance of the team and disinterested (not in the Downton meaning) analysis.

Speculation this morning that he might be suspended for the whole Ashes tour and maybe the IPL.

Not sure what jurisdiction the ECB has over his participation in the latter? I guess he must need permission to play under the terms of his contract.

Looks like he will still be given a central contract. It's conceivable he'll tell the ECB to shove it, highest paid player in the IPL and all that.

budgetmeansbudget wrote:Speculation this morning that he might be suspended for the whole Ashes tour and maybe the IPL.

Not sure what jurisdiction the ECB has over his participation in the latter?

Looks like he will still be given a central contract.

He has a central contract, so I guess hes the ECBs property?

Steven finn replaced Stokes in the Ashes squad.

Stokes' expelled.
Hales suspended.
Bairstow, Ball and Plunkett in detention
Anderson see me afterwards.
Broad rubber round the back of the head.
Malan Ballance Stoneman and Vince must do better.

Sounds like they're all back at public school.

‘ Ben Stokes Ashes delayed’ - BBC.

I suppose that’s better than being scattered.

mikesiva wrote:Steven finn replaced Stokes in the Ashes squad.

Odd choice, given the batting issues in the side.

budgetmeansbudget wrote:Stokes' expelled.
Hales suspended.
Bairstow, Ball and Plunkett in detention
Anderson see me afterwards.
Broad rubber round the back of the head.
Malan Ballance Stoneman and Vince must do better.

Sounds like they're all back at public school.

That'll teach not to do their homework.





oh, wait...

Bairstow, Ball and Plunkett bekng issued with disciplinary measures feels like a petty move by the ECB who are only being seen to act tough in response to the Stokes saga. As long as players behave themselves and not suffer from alcohol poisoning, I don't see the harm in having a night out after an ODI match and expect players to have time off the following day.

I find it amusing when Michael Vaughan et al takes a moral compass on Ben Stokes on how he should behave and that there is a culture problem in cricket. Maybe the problem lies in playing IPL cricket, Champions Trophy and two home international series in succession and without a break in between. Stokes might be a paid professional, but he is also human and everyone is entitled to let their hair down on the odd occasion.

As well as issuing out disciplinary procedures, the ECB should focus on player welfare and avoid a repeat of the last Ashes tour.

Alviro Patterson wrote: As long as players behave themselves and not suffer from alcohol poisoning, I don't see the harm in having a night out after an ODI match and expect players to have time off the following day.

.

Generally agree (as long as they aren't harming themselves.). Agree the workload and pressure is a factor. But the harm in this incident is hard to ignore- a charge for assault.