England Test captain Ben Stokes became the shield of his players as they have are being scrutinised for excessive drinking on their trip to Noosa after the Gabba defeat. Stokes said that it is his responsibility as captain to protect his players after videos of their Noosa trip, especially opener Ben Duckett and young all-rounder Jacob Bethell surfaced on social media.
“How I handle this moment right now is the most important thing to me,” he told reporters at a press conference before the Boxing Day Test.
“The welfare of everyone in there and probably some certain individuals as well is the most important thing to me right now as England captain.
“This kind of stuff is very, I don’t know if close to me is the right wording, but something that I have first hand experience of how it can affect people. And as I said, my role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can.”
While Stokes-led England have been hammered in the first three Tests and lost the chance to regain the Ashes, he wants the focus to shift back to the ground ahead of Boxing Day Test. He emphasised on the need to protect his players being the most most important thing as a leader.
“We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip. It’s not gone anywhere near to plan whatsoever,” the all-rounder said.
“We’ve still got two games of cricket to play. We’ve still got a lot of efforts and energies to put in in the remaining of this tour.
“Looking after my players is one of the main things that I need to get out of this because we need to go out there and win two games of cricket.
“I know how this kind of stuff can affect people and as I said, I will always protect my players as much as I possibly can.
“Right here right now, that is my main job as England captain is to ensure that they know that they have my backing because the most important thing to me, sitting here right now, is a group of players who I can get into a best possible state to go out there and try and perform for this country and the remaining of this trip.”
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Stokes concerned about players’ mental being
Earlier, on December 23, England Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement condemning the behaviour of players on the Noosa trip. When Stokes was asked whether any member of his team did anything wrong there, he guarded his troops again. He wants his team to be in the best possible mental space ahead of the MCG Test.
“I’ve just answered everything there,” he said.
“I’ve just said I will always continue to support my players. I have a responsibility as captain out on the field to try and win games of cricket but in moments like these I have that other responsibility of making sure that I will always protect my players in a moment where I feel that is necessary and right here, right now, this is one of those moments to try my hardest to protect them and also try to get them out on the field in the best possible mental space as possible.”
Despite losing the series, Stokes said that England have much to play for. Meanwhile, ECB is yet to announce the changes to their playing eleven after the 82-run loss at Adelaide Oval.