Stokes calls for empathy for players after Ashes criticism

Ben Stokes admitted he is going through his “toughest time” as England captain as he called for “empathy” towards this team-mates.

The tourists’ awful Ashes series has been dogged by reports of excessive drinking.

England are already 3-0 down after three Tests against Australia, with the chance of regaining the urn gone and the risk of a humiliating clean sweep in the final two Tests.

On Tuesday, England director of Rob Key confirmed he would investigate the behaviour of players in the coastal town of Noosa during their break from the series between the second and third Tests.

Later on the same day, a video emerged on social media appearing to show opener Ben Duckett drunk.

The BBC has not verified the video, while the England and Wales Cricket Board said it would “establish the facts”.

With England preparing to play the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day, Stokes told BBC Sport: “This is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I’ll have.

“I’m not going to run away from it. I feel like I will lead for the rest of this trip how I think I can help guys get through it.”

Stokes would not be drawn on the allegations about Duckett.

Asked about the scrutiny on his team-mates, he added: “We’ve got other guys who play all three formats and spend a lot more time away from home than others.

“It is very gruelling and it is tough when you’re here, there and everywhere.

“I know people have got things a lot worse than what we do. You have to deal with the emotions of being away [and] the scrutiny that you are under, in particular when things aren’t going well.

“Everything just gets heightened, but there needs to be a little bit of empathy towards stuff that people might not quite understand, but I guess if you’re not in it and you’re not amongst it, it is hard to understand that.

“But just in this moment right now, I think a little bit of empathy from everyone would be not too hard to think about, if that makes sense.”

Stokes, who took over as captain in 2022, pointed to his own personal experiences of “pretty tough times”.

The 34-year-old missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub. Stokes was charged with and later cleared of affray.

Stokes also took a five-month break from cricket in the summer of 2021 to prioritise his mental wellbeing.

The all-rounder later revealed he suffered from panic attacks and feared he would not play again. His struggles were laid bare in a documentary released in August 2022.

“I’ve had some pretty good times over my career. I’ve also had some pretty tough times,” he said.

“I’m obviously aware of reports and stuff that’s circulating around. For me as England captain, my main concern is the players and everyone in the dressing room.

“I know what it can feel like when everything just piles on top of you. It’s hard. My main thing right now as England captain is making sure that everyone’s OK.”

Duckett has kept his place in England’s team for the fourth Test, with Stokes saying he has spoke to the opener to offer his full support.

Stokes described Duckett as an “incredibly influential person” within the group.

The futures of Stokes, Key and head coach Brendon McCullum will come under intense scrutiny both for the result of the Ashes and the behaviour of the England players in Australia.

Following defeat in the third Test in Adelaide, which sealed England’s fourth successive Ashes loss in Australia, Stokes said he “absolutely” wanted to remain skipper.

“Everything’s easy when it’s going well,” said Stokes. “It’s these moments where I guess the responsibility does fall on your shoulders a lot more than it ever has done.

“I will always do my best on the field. I’ll always do my best off the field. I will always, always protect my players, especially in moments like these.”

England’s trip to Noosa was planned a year before the Ashes tour and went ahead despite the tourists falling 2-0 down inside two Tests.

The England squad spent four nights on the Queensland coast. Several media outlets, including the BBC, reported that some players were drinking for a significant portion of their time in Noosa, as well as on two previous days in Brisbane, the venue for the second Test.

“When you’re winning, it’s a lot easier to do stuff,” said Stokes. “When you’re losing, like we have done with being 3-0 down, everything you say, everything you do gets criticised, analysed, and rightly so.

“You don’t really have a leg to stand on when you are 3-0 down in a big series like this.”

England are on an 18-Test winless run in Australia. The visitors need to avoid defeat in one of the final two matches to prevent becoming the fourth England team to lose 5-0 in this country.

“How you use this kind of stuff is you either let it get on top of you too much or you can use it as fuel if you want to use it as fuel,” said Stokes.

“Certain things inspire different people. Everyone will be focused when we come to here on Boxing Day and everyone wants to get that win.”