Ben Stokes: unacceptable to his sponsor, unacceptable to Australian standards, but still good enough for England!
The official English response to the behaviour of their star all-rounder has been like a Clint McKay slower ball, mesmerising in its reluctance to arrive at the other end. To call for a slow-motion review is hardly necessary. Here is how it unfolded. First, Stokes went out for a night in Bristol in the middle of an international series and beat a couple of guys up. England did nothing. Then, footage surfaced showing that if Stokes has any future in sport, the ring awaits. This was not the usual drunken fracas of wrestling and scragging and why-I-oughtas. Stokes – who has not denied it is him in the video – punched a man to the ground and then punched a man on the ground. Repeatedly. He may well have been provoked, but when he was battering these people they were not fighting back. Stokes is an extremely lucky man in not having caused serious injury or death.
When the footage was made public, England’s cricket authorities retained Stokes in their Ashes party, pending further thought.
Upon a few days’ further thought, they announced that he would be suspended until further notice.
When the footage was made public, England’s cricket authorities retained Stokes in their Ashes party, pending further thought.
Upon a few days’ further thought, they announced that he would be suspended until further notice.