Ben Stokes has apologised for describing former England cricketers as “has-beens” after they criticised the team’s Ashes preparations. The England captain made the remark in response to concerns voiced by Ian Botham, Sir Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan about the touring side’s schedule.
Stokes said: “I regret using that term. It was disrespectful to people who have achieved so much in the game. I apologise to anyone I offended. My frustration was about the criticism, not the individuals.”
England play only one warm-up match before the first Test, a three-day game starting on Thursday. Vaughan responded in his Telegraph column, saying: “Just because the has-beens have a different view does not mean these are not valid comments. England should respect those views.”
Stokes also warned his players about the Australian media, saying they have already faced “unbelievable journalism” and that such treatment is “part of being in Australia … it’s not just stuff out on the field that can get you, it’s also the off-field stuff”.
