England cricket captain Ben Stokes has been labelled 'disrespectful' by legendary batsman Sir Geoffrey Boycott, following comments made in the build-up to the ongoing Ashes series in Australia.
The 'Has-Beens' Remark and Subsequent Apology
The controversy stems from Stokes's response to criticism about England's pre-Ashes preparations. Several former England captains, including Ian Botham, Michael Vaughan, and Graham Gooch, questioned the team's decision to play only one three-day warm-up match.
Stokes initially dismissed these critics by referring to them as 'has-beens'. However, after England suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test in Perth—losing by eight wickets within two days—the captain offered an apology.
'Everyone knows it was a slip of the tongue,' Stokes told BBC Sport. 'I got the words I said there completely wrong... 'Has-beens' is a horrible word. It's the only thing that managed to come out of my mouth in that moment.'
Boycott's Stern Advice to the Modern Captain
Sir Geoffrey Boycott, who scored over 8,000 Test runs for England, has now responded. In a column for The Telegraph, he offered pointed advice to the current skipper.
'A piece of advice to Stokes about his has-beens remark when referring to ex-players,' Boycott wrote. He acknowledged the game evolves but argued that past wisdom remains valuable, drawing a parallel with the respect for elders in Asian cultures.
'If you are prepared to listen to the ex-players, there may be some things that the modern player can use,' he stated, recalling advice from the late commentator Richie Benaud: 'You can learn something every day.'
A 'Half Apology' and the Challenge Ahead
Boycott accepted Stokes's explanation but described it as a 'half apology'. He emphasised the achievements of the very players Stokes dismissed, noting that some of those 'has-beens' won the Ashes both in England and Australia—a feat the current squad has yet to accomplish down under.
'I'm glad that Ben has half apologised... because none of this team have won the Ashes in Australia,' Boycott remarked. His final piece of counsel was blunt: 'Get the job done, because then you don’t need to say anything and you can bask in all the glory coming your way.'
The pressure is now immense for Stokes and his team as they head to Brisbane for the crucial second Test, a day-night match starting on Thursday. England have not won an Ashes Test at The Gabba since 1986.
