Ben Stokes controversies: 3 incidents that made global headlines

English Test cricket captain Ben Stokes is under the cosh for his bust-up with a rugby player post the win over New Zealand at Lord’s. The incident, which also involves fast bowler Gus Atkinson, has been making a lot of news in the last few days. As per reports, the rugby player named Totoa Auuva tried to punch Atkinson, but instead struck a member of English security staff. 

The Daily Mail reported that neither English player started the fight nor threw the first punch. The latest incident has left a sour taste in the mouth of the England cricket board, which had taken a tough stance on their cricketers breaking the curfew. The board had laid down strict rules after a few players were caught breaking the strict curfew in Australia during the Ashes tour late last year. 

This latest incident has also cast doubts on Stokes’ future with the national side. There are reports that the 35-year-old could retire from the format. There is also a chance that his captaincy could be stripped ahead of the second Test, which begins on 17th June at the Oval. This, though, isn’t the first time the New Zealand-born cricketer has found himself in trouble. 

Here are Ben Stokes’ top three cricket controversies 

Brawl outside a nightclub in 2017

In 2017, the cricketer was out with Alex Hales in Bristol when the all-rounder got into a brawl with two people outside the Mbargo nightclub after playing an ODI game against the West Indies. It was stated that the 26-year-old had tried to stop the men from hurling homophobic abuse at others and got into a fistfight, and eventually suffered an injury to his hand. ECB fined the cricketer 30,000 pounds, while Hales, who tried to stop the altercation, was fined 17,500 pounds. 

Sent back to England from Australia during Lions tour in 2013

In 2013, as a young 21-year-old, the cricketer was in the English Lions squad for a tour of Australia. Matt Coles and the future England skipper were sent home after the duo had ignored repeated warnings about their consumption of alcohol, as well as flouting the strict curfew laws. Then, ECB performance director David Parson said, "Both Matt and Ben have ignored the instructions given to them around their match preparation and recovery.” 

On-field verbal altercation with Virat Kohli in 2016

The English superstar is feisty on and off the field, and this was proved during the India vs England 2016 Test match in Mohali. The entire incident happened after Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the batter, stumped expertly by Parthiv Patel. The southpaw didn’t appreciate the Indian fielders celebrating his wicket and used foul language. Virat Kohli, who was the captain, lost his cool as the two players had a huge verbal face-off. The umpires then stepped in to calm the situation before things got out of hand. ICC later charged the cricketer with a breach of the Cricket’s Code of Conduct and also handed him one demerit point for usage of foul language.