I Am Hoping This Is His Lesson: Michael Vaughan On Ben Stokes
Sep 27, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Ben Stokes, undoubtedly, is the best player for England on the field and is an ideal figure for all-rounders like Hardik Pandya but his off-field activities have always played a key role in him being pulled down.
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The latest incident, where he was arrested for a brawl outside a nightclub, is another addition to the long list of gaffes which Stokes have committed throughout his small international career.
Even his on-field behaviour has been questioned much time, but there, he has answered to it there and then with performance. His off-field mistakes have now though become a headache for the all-rounder and this time, Michelle Vaughan, the former England captain has advised Stokes to be cautious as, in his opinion, these sort of activities can ruin his career, and it will be Stokes who will be responsible for it,
“He has the talent, plays all three formats relatively easily, and has the world at his feet. In time we could be describing him as a cricketing genius. But he has to understand that if he wants to be a superstar, and go over to India, earn huge IPL contracts and keep them, he has to be careful off the field. 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. But on the field, he is a streetwise cricketer. He understands the game. He gets cricket. But he is not streetwise off the pitch and that could be his downfall. I am hoping this is his lesson,” he added.
From carrying on his brawl with Marlon Samuels to missing T20 World Cup 2014 due to punching locker in frustration, Stokes has done everything to invite controversies. Even during his early days, Stokes had off-field troubles which jeopardise his international appearances.
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Despite all the controversies, he has emerged as the best all-rounder in world cricket at present, but he needs to keep himself away from all this, in case he wants to have a long career.
His recent controversy has already seen him being dropped from ongoing series against Windies.
Meanwhile, his off-field attitude has already resulted in a significant loss as it has been learnt that England Cricket Board (ECB) might drop him as the captain of the Test squad for the Ashes series. Though he will continue to be part of the team as at present, England needs Stokes more than Stokes needs the team.
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