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Ben Stokes needs ‘lifestyle change’: Ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan
Ben Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol. He was held overnight and released under investigation -- without charge -- late on Monday
Ben Stokes, who has repeatedly fallen on the wrong side of law because of his poor behaviour, needs a change in lifestyle, said for former England cricket skipper Michael Vaughan.
Stokes, England’s star all-rounder, was arrested early on Monday after a nightclub brawl Bristol and will miss the fourth one-day international against West Indies, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.
“He was held overnight and released under investigation, without charge, late on Monday and will not join the team in London,” the ECB said in a statement on Tuesday. Opener Alex Hales, who was with Stokes on Sunday night, will also miss Wednesday’s match at The Oval.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Vaughan said Ben Stokes needed to show wisdom on the streets to prolong his England cricket career. Stokes is a repeat offender, at least twice putting his career in jeopardy due to his off-field misdemeanours.
“Ben Stokes can’t say he was not warned. I have been privy to private conversations about him recently and he has been given strong warnings about his lifestyle,” wrote Vaughan.
“People have said to him there is only one person who can ruin your career and that is you. Nobody else. He has the talent, plays all three formats relatively easily. Has the world at his feet,” the former skipper said.
Stokes reportedly had a scan after injuring his right hand in the nightclub bust up. A broken hand will put the Durham all-rounder out for at least 12 weeks. England are going to name their Ashes squad on Wednesday.
Andrew Flintoff was sacked as vice-captain after the infamous ‘Fredalo’ incident at the 2007 World Cup when the burly Yorkshire all-rounder drunkenly took a pedalo to sea.
Stokes was sent home from an England Lions tour for late-night drinking in 2013. In 2014, the Rising Pune Supergiant star, IPL 2017’s most expensive foreign cricketer, missed the World T20 after breaking his hand when punching a dressing-room locker.
Ben Stokes could also lose his position as Joe Root’s deputy. England are scheduled to fly out on October 28. The first Test vs Australia will be played in Brisbane on November 23.
“I am not saying be teetotal or not have a flutter at the casino. He needs a way to let off steam and live a life,” wrote Vaughan.
