Ben Stokes: Eight times England cricket’s bad boy invited controversy
Ben Stokes has a long list of previous controversies both on and off the field that have kept his name in the news whilst also adding to the England cricketer’s ‘bad boy’ reputation.
Ben Stokes, who was arrested for one night after causing ‘bodily harm’ in a nightclub in Bristol after England’s victory over West Indies in the third ODI, is no stranger to controversy.
The maverick all-rounder has a long list of incidents to his name that have kept him in news. Hindustan Times takes a look at his previous offences:
Other arrest in 2011 - The incident on Sunday was not the first time Ben Stokes found himself on the wrong end of the law.
In late 2011, he was arrested and cautioned for ‘obstructing the police’ in Durham. Stokes was allegedly drunk when the incident took place.
Sent home from Australia tour - In 2013, Stokes was sent home along with cricketer Matt Coles for flouting drinking rules during England’s tour of Australia.
Anger management issues - Livid over his first-ball run out in the third ODI at Antigua during England’s tour of West Indies in 2014, Stokes struck a locker in the dressing room hard.
This led to him fracturing his hand and as a result, he missed the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh.
Escapes driving ban - After being found guilty of over-speeding four times in June 2016 alone, Stokes was faced with the prospect of jail time if he drove faster than the speed limit any time over the next six months.
Run-ins with Marlon Samuels - The duel between Stokes and West Indies’ Marlon Samuels began in Grenada in April 2015, when Samuels gave Stokes a salute after dismissing him.
The two ended up at loggerheads throughout the innings and remain fierce rivals to this date.
Taking on Virat Kohli - During the third Test of the series between India and England at Mohali, Stokes was reprimanded by the match referee and handed one demerit point for swearing at Indian cricketers after he was dismissed.
In response, Stokes later celebrated getting Kohli’s wicket by gagging himself with his hand.
Fined after altercation with Sabbir Rahman - Stokes was fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test.
Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and S Ravi had even warned then-England captain Alastair Cook about his behaviour. A later ICC release said that Stokes ‘did not comply with the instructions’.
Obstructing the field controversy - Stokes was given out during the Lord’s ODI in 2015 between England and Australia for obstructing the field when he put his hand in the way of a return throw from Mitchell Starc .
His action sparked a massive debate in the cricket fraternity, with many saying it was a deliberate move to prevent the ball hitting the wickets.