Ben Stokes should not be removed as England Test skipper, Michael Vaughan clears stance

Ben Stokes has led England in 42 Tests so far, winning 23 and losing 17 so far, making him one of the most successful leaders for his nation.

The latest drinking incident involving England skipper Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson doesn’t look good at all. With the ECB investigation underway, both players are set to miss the 2nd Test from June 17, with potentially more punishments to follow. But despite this, Michael Vaughan wants Stokes to remain the leader of the side.

The entire incident is about the breach of protocols; the players broke the team curfew following their win in the 1st Test in Lord’s by 115 runs. Writing for the Telegraph, Vaughan clarified his stance, that even though Stokes broke the protocol, but was the incident serious enough for him to be removed? “Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offence as England’s Test captain? I don’t think so,” Vaughan wrote.

“The ECB has to be brave enough and strong enough to do what it thinks is right. If that is to sack him then fine, but I do not agree with that decision on this issue,” he added.

What is the entire controversy about?

Stokes and Atkinson broke the curfew to celebrate the team win. It was there, when a member of the England security staff was struck by Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa. It is also reported that the person in question needed medical attention right away. That, in short means, Joe Root will lead England in the 2nd match that starts on June 17, despite the presence of vice-captain Harry Brook.

Not a standalone incident

Last year in October, Brook too was involved in an untoward incident, just a day before he was to lead against NZ in an ODI. The batter was reportedly struck by a bouncer. Despite that, he continued as the skipper; he was let go with a final warning, while Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell were let go easy.

As per Vaughan, the decision to let him continue, weakened ECB’s authority. “They allowed him to carry on as captain, hushed it up and by being so lenient put themselves in a position where they had to come down hard on any other minor transgression of the team rules in the future,” Vaughan wrote.