Ashes 2017/18: Michael Hussey Feels Ben Stokes Should Stay at Home
May 29, 2023 at 3:49 PM
The Ben Stokes saga doesn’t seem to be ending soon, and former and current players are not backing down to express their views on whether the talented all-rounder should be allowed to play in the upcoming Ashes or not.
Stokes is under investigation for causing actual bodily harms to a 27-year-old man outside a bar after England’s win against the Windies in Bristol. Stokes was arrested by the police next day but was released and is still under investigation for the incidence and now will not travel to Australia with the team.
Stokes who was initially picked in the squad for the Ashes is currently suspended by the ECB until any reports by the Somerset police come out, and a further decision can be made over Stokes participation in the highly awaited Ashes.
However, former Australian batsman Michael Hussey feels England should not pick Ben Stokes for the upcoming Ashes. Hussey said,
“It’s a difficult one, in my mind, if you’re in the England camp, you’re wrestling with two things. The moral decision is … the footage looks pretty bad, he’s going to have a lot on his mind with the investigation, perhaps he’s better off just not coming at all. Give someone else an opportunity to become an Ashes hero, really make a name for himself, just leave him (Stokes) back home and don’t worry about it. On the other hand, he’s a quality player and England are probably looking at their team thinking ‘we need a Ben Stokes’.
Hussy further added England could still win without Ben Stokes, but England goes into the series as underdogs,
“If I was in there that’s what I’d be wrestling with; it’s a moral decision or do you go with what’s the best team on the park.I think if it was up to me, I’d probably take the moral decision and say ‘stay at home, get yourself sorted out’ and give someone else an opportunity. They can win without him. A lot is going to have to go right, I think, looking at some of those inexperienced players in the (England) top order.”
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