The International Cricket Thread

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

'Not worth a place' feels pretty harsh.

[tomd2103]

Hopefully it won’t be much, but the fact it’s even a story is far from ideal. They should realise from previous actions they need to be squeaky clean.

The fact that they seemingly hadn't realised that shows that they are not astute enough to realise the implications or too arrogant to care about them.  Either way, it's a really bad look given what's gone on previously and I can't see Stokes surviving it as captain to be honest.

[LeeB]

You wouldn't see Harry Kane in such situations, these rugby and cricket yobs could learn a thing or two about professionalism from the footballers.

[Villan For Life]

If what I’ve read is correct then the Saracens player aimed a punch at Atkinson, missed and struck an ECB security guy. Apparently Stokes doesn’t drink anymore, the Saracens player had been part of a wider group of squad players celebrating the end of the season. I don’t understand why the supposed curfew still applies when the match was finished but we don’t know the exact details of the curfew and if it’s breached then what punishment should apply.

It’s not a good look after the winter and I suspect that they will use it to get rid of Stokes; that in itself is a worry as there’s no credible alternative captain. I don’t trust Harry Brook with a bat let alone with a coin and blazer!

[paul_e]

If what I’ve read is correct then the Saracens player aimed a punch at Atkinson, missed and struck an ECB security guy. Apparently Stokes doesn’t drink anymore, the Saracens player had been part of a wider group of squad players celebrating the end of the season. I don’t understand why the supposed curfew still applies when the match was finished but we don’t know the exact details of the curfew and if it’s breached then what punishment should apply.

It’s not a good look after the winter and I suspect that they will use it to get rid of Stokes; that in itself is a worry as there’s no credible alternative captain. I don’t trust Harry Brook with a bat let alone with a coin and blazer!

I think right now the curfew needs to be a blanket "whilst in camp" situation because this is happening far too much with the England cricket team.

On the specifics the 2 sides of this are very different, Sarries literally had their season finale at the weekend, their players are in holiday mode at this point (except for any with international call-ups). that's very different to cricket players who are in the middle of an international series. I have absolutely no problem with players going out for a drink and having an end of year celebration and I'm not puritanical in any way but I think part of being a sportsman is understanding that you carry the expectations of a lot of people and there has to be some responsibility that comes with that. If it means you have a quiet drink or 2 in a small hotel bar instead of going out and getting trashed in a nightclub then you have to accept that is part of the job.

End of season/end of tour those restrictions go away and you can do what you like so it's not like anyone expects them to be saints all the time, just show a bit of common sense, just like a doctor/nurse shouldn't turn up for a shift with a hangover or a teacher shouldn't be in the pub over the road at lunchtime.

[Beard82]

I would imagine the guidelines have been put in place due to the players inability to read the room and make sensible decisions.  So it’s easier to say it applies after the match ends cos otherwise - they will be out on the piss after losing without seeing why that might look bad. 

I think Stokes will end up losing the captaincy - I hope he doesn’t as he has done ok and there isn’t anyone else.  He is one of the few players that seems to actually take accountability.

However - I think they will have given themselves nowhere to go after sticking with keys, stokes and McCulllum.

To some extent it would feel wrong as stokes is the least culpable for the poor last 2 years but it seems a stupid lack of judgement. 

Also how do they manage to get into so many incidents.  I’m a piss head - but think I have only ever been thrown out of a venue once - when I was 25. 

[PaulWinch again]

Hopefully it won’t be much, but the fact it’s even a story is far from ideal. They should realise from previous actions they need to be squeaky clean.

The fact that they seemingly hadn't realised that shows that they are not astute enough to realise the implications or too arrogant to care about them.  Either way, it's a really bad look given what's gone on previously and I can't see Stokes surviving it as captain to be honest.

I’d hold off on judgement to be honest. If he was out past curfew and didn’t actually do anything then sacking seems a touch harsh.

[tomd2103]

Hopefully it won’t be much, but the fact it’s even a story is far from ideal. They should realise from previous actions they need to be squeaky clean.

The fact that they seemingly hadn't realised that shows that they are not astute enough to realise the implications or too arrogant to care about them.  Either way, it's a really bad look given what's gone on previously and I can't see Stokes surviving it as captain to be honest.

I’d hold off on judgement to be honest. If he was out past curfew and didn’t actually do anything then sacking seems a touch harsh.

Which in itself doesn't seem too bad Paul, but given what has gone on before it's just unacceptable.

[Rory]

The problem with Stokes being stood down, aside from anything else, is that there's no one to obviously take over. It'd probably go to Brook and he's got all the same problems whilst also not really proving himself in the white ball game when given the chance. The only other option worth considering in Bethell (who I think will definitely get the job at some point) but he needs the time to really establish himself in the team before getting more pressure.

Dead right. For the first time in more than 25 years (with the possible exception of post-Vaughan, but even then I think Strauss was the initially-overlooked but obvious choice) the successor isn't immediately apparent.

[Villan For Life]

Neither Stokes or Atkinson are in the squad for the second test and Joe Root will be interim captain.

There’s a ringing endorsement of Harry Brook’s red ball captaincy right there.

[cdbearsfan]

I think it's more the case that appointing Harry Brook as captain after nightclub shenanigans the same day as announcing you have de-selected Stokes after nightclub shenanigans wouldn't be a good look.

[Villan For Life]

I think it's more the case that appointing Harry Brook as captain after nightclub shenanigans the same day as announcing you have de-selected Stokes after nightclub shenanigans wouldn't be a good look.

He was punished for it so now you’re effectively punishing him again. He’s either next in line or demote him from the vice-captaincy.

I think that his test career so far has been underwhelming and if he’d carried on in a similar manner in the first test then his place would have been under scrutiny. He plays far too many brainless shots so his place should not be secure. I personally wouldn’t have him anywhere near the test captaincy, I don’t trust him with a bat let alone with selection and tossing a coin!

[Rory]

They're probably making it easier to bring Stokes back in after the fuss dies down. Appointing the Vice Captain has an air of permanence that isn't there with Root.

[paul_e]

I think it's more the case that appointing Harry Brook as captain after nightclub shenanigans the same day as announcing you have de-selected Stokes after nightclub shenanigans wouldn't be a good look.

He was punished for it so now you’re effectively punishing him again. He’s either next in line or demote him from the vice-captaincy.

I think that his test career so far has been underwhelming and if he’d carried on in a similar manner in the first test then his place would have been under scrutiny. He plays far too many brainless shots so his place should not be secure. I personally wouldn’t have him anywhere near the test captaincy, I don’t trust him with a bat let alone with selection and tossing a coin!

He saved our first innings so that's a bit harsh. Yes he got out cheap in the 2nd innings but that was at a point where the pitch was the real star of the show. I don't think his place in the team is remotely under threat despite him sometimes being a bit too aggressive given that's why he's been selected.

He's just not a great captain and has shown his flaws for both the white ball team and for Yorkshire and he's never been a red ball captain anywhere. I agree he probably shouldn't be vice captain but they're been pushed into a corner by the fact that everyone they give the job to has gone to shit leaving them with Root as the only realistic alternative to captain the side but he clearly isn't going to be interested long-term so it doesn't make sense for him to be VC.

This is exactly why they're trying to fast-track Bethell but they're 10-15 tests away from being able to say his place is established and start giving him the responsibility. I think they were probably hoping for a for a nice easy transition to him after the next ashes but this silliness puts the timeline at risk.