Sydney: Former Australian great Steve Waugh has said that England can’t win the Ashes without Ben Stokes and the bad boy all-rounder would have been dumped immediately if he was Australian.
England vice-captain Stokes was arrested last month in Britain on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and suspended from internationals until further notice following an apparent fight outside a nightclub. He was included in their Ashes squad but the ECB said he would not travel with the team when they leave, October 28.
Waugh asserted that England will not be the same threat without Stokes. “If he (Stokes) doesn’t come, I don’t think they can win the Ashes,” Waugh told ‘Sky Sports Radio’ late Wednesday.
“I think if it was anyone in the Australian side, he wouldn’t be picked. You can’t do that (violence) these days in public. It just didn’t look good and it’s a bad image for the game.
“I think they (England selectors) are pretty keen for him to play in Australia… he’s probably their best player, so it would be a real shame if he’s not out here,” Waugh who 41 of the 57 Tests he captained, added.
England have lost two of their last three tours Down Under by a 0-5 margin. In Stokes’ absence a similar result is achievable according to Waugh.
“Without Ben Stokes, we’ll win,” asserted Waugh. “It’s too much pressure on (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson, and they’re getting a bit older, and I can’t see them playing five Test matches straight. On a moderate note, I would say Australia will win 3-1,” he added.
Woes increase for all-rounder
London: England cricketer Ben Stokes has lost his sponsorship contract with sportswear giant New Balance following his arrest outside a nightclub. Stokes, who was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, also issued an apology after video emerged of him mimicking the disabled son of British celebrity Katie Price. Separately, the embattled Stokes posted an apology on Twitter after his mocking impersonation of a TV appearance by 15-year-old Harvey Price, who suffers from a genetic disorder, drew strong condemnation. “I should never have done this and I am so sorry,” Stokes wrote. “It was absolutely not my intention to offend Harvey, Katie or anybody else… I do hope I can put this right.”
Agence France-Presse
