England director of cricket Rob Key has spoken publicly for the first time since Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped from the Test side for breaking a team curfew in a nightclub. Key says there will be “no rash decisions” as uncertainty continues to cloud Stokes’ future as England captain, but is considering imposing an outright alcohol ban on a squad he fears is losing public trust.
Stokes will miss next week’s Oval Test against New Zealand after he and team-mate Atkinson breached a midnight curfew on a night out that ended in a confrontation involving Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa. The incident is currently subject to an England and Wales Cricket Board investigation and has also been referred to the Cricket Regulator, but speculation continues to swirl over the fate of one of the country’s most high-profile athletes.
All options appear to be on the table, from the ECB ending Stokes’ captaincy, to the all-rounder walking away or even retiring from international duty. Key, managing director of men’s cricket at the ECB, addressed the issue for the first time on Thursday and did not rule out stripping the 35-year-old of his duties.
Key’s Comments on Stokes’ Future
“Can Ben captain again? I think we’ve just got to let that play out. The decision, as I look forward, is about what’s best for the team and what’s best for Ben as well,” Key said. “I haven’t got an answer for that at the moment, to be honest. It’s still very raw, certainly for Ben, Brendon (McCullum, head coach), myself, the ECB. Ben has been through a range of emotions, as you would do in this situation.”
“A lot of people have had phone calls (where) you’re just in disbelief, then you get angry. There’s a load of things and I’m still not sure I’m over those at the moment. Time is probably the best thing for all of us. Nobody wants to make any rash decisions, whether that’s on Ben’s side or the other end. We’ll take the next step when we get to that.”
Asked if the delay meant that firing Stokes as skipper was off the table, Key added: “I’m not saying that. At this point in time, it has not crossed my mind to get that far ahead. As far as sacking, or any of that stuff, we haven’t got anywhere close to being that far in the process.”
Potential Alcohol Ban
Key made no secret of his own disillusionment after he and Stokes worked together on a new code of conduct following the excesses of a chaotic Ashes tour. He is now considering going even further than a curfew and laying down a no-booze policy on England duty. The Press Association has clarified that there is no such curfew for England Women at the T20 World Cup which begins at Edgbaston on Friday.
“I’m trying to give myself a bit of time, but do we need to look and say, have they (the rules) actually been strict enough?” he said. “Even when they win a game of cricket, is it now a time when there’s just no alcohol at any time and at any stage? The players now have to show the public that they can be trusted. At this point it’s hard to say they can.”
“It’s not just about the protocols, in the conditions of employment there’s a number of ways you’re expected to behave as an England cricketer. We don’t want our players out late at night in alcohol-related incidents. I don’t think they’ve become a national embarrassment. I think that Stokes and McCullum are (one of) the most successful coach and captain partnerships we’ve had. So I think that’s far too strong a word.”
Joe Root Steps In
Key also reflected on the decision to temporarily place Stokes’ predecessor Joe Root in charge, overlooking vice-captain Harry Brook, who was fined and warned for a nightclub scuffle of his own in November. “We just thought this was too big a job at this stage for Harry to take on,” Key admitted. “Ultimately, when English cricket’s in a hole, Joe Root is the man that we ask to dig us out of it. Whether that’s on the field or off the field. We’re incredibly lucky to have him. And when I spoke to him about whether he would consider this, he didn’t hesitate.”
