All-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to step down as England captain and bring his glittering international career to an end.
Stokes and team-mate Gus Atkinson are facing a probe by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaking team rules in the early hours of Monday morning following England’s win in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.
It is the latest controversy involving the England team following a tour of Australia during which the side faced allegations of a drinking culture amid a 4-1 Ashes series defeat that concluded in January.
According to a report in TalkSport, Stokes is likely to resign, and there is even a possibility of his retirement from international cricket.
The report quoted Senior correspondent at ‘The Cricketer’, George Dobell, as saying: “I fear from everything I hear that Stokes is going to act first. And, regretfully, I hear that he is going to step down and possibly even retire.
England have also delayed announcing their squad for the second Test, with two changes likely.
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Another ESPNcricinfo report claims that the ECB gave Stokes the option to resign and continue playing international cricket. However, if the 35-year-old does not take that option, the board could sack him.
With growing calls for a change in dressing-room culture, it is inevitable that the all-rounder will retain his position.
The report also states another option: Stokes retirement from international cricket altogether. He is thought to be considering it, as the latest incident has reportedly caused tension between him and the governing body.
If Stokes is stripped of the captaincy, vice-captain Harry Brook, already the skipper of England’s white-ball teams, could lead the hosts in next week’s second Test across London at the Oval.
This would represent a remarkable reversal for Brook, who was fined and censured for late-night drinking and clashing with a nightclub bouncer before captaining England in a one-day international in Wellington in October.
READ: Ben Stokes facing uncertain future as England captain after nightclub incident
