‘I think Ben Stokes will feel like he’s let them down’ - Former England cricketers reflect on his struggles and future

Former cricketers strongly reacted to England’s decision to make Joe Root skipper instead of vice-captain Harry Brook for the second Test against New Zealand. Although there have been strong criticisms of Ben Stokes’ actions, neither Nasser Hussain nor Michael Atherton called for his resignation.

England started the three-match series with a win by an innings and 115 runs in the opening Test at Lord’s, which ended on the fourth day. Hussain pointed out that Stokes will definitely feel he has disappointed many people, but stressed that there should be understanding for the toll England’s captaincy has taken on him.

"I think Ben Stokes will feel like he's let them down, and he will feel a little bit embarrassed. He did look tired, haggard, whatever the phrase is, before a ball went down this summer. I saw a man that the toll of four years of captaincy... weighs you down," Hussain said on Sky Sports Cricket.

"Nothing hits you harder as a cricketer than losing your form. Ben Stokes has been there a lot for England. He's been there as a captain. He's been there as a player at their finest moments. He got it wrong this time. He got it horribly wrong. But I don't think that is a sackable offence. Ben will be in a dark place at the moment. I just hope Ben doesn't think that, 'I've let so many people down that I'm going to retire.',” he added.

Atherton made reference to the greater context regarding Stokes’ time as England captain, highlighting the challenge faced by captains of staying in the role for more than four years. In all, Atherton believes the main question now is about Stokes’ mentality, rather than whether or not he should stay in his current position.

"I don't think it's a resignation offence, and I don't think it's a sacking offence, precisely because of the essential difference with [Harry] Brook, who was out before an ODI, this was after a test match win. The captain prior to Stokes in recent times, four years, has been about the limit. No matter who you are, it's a job that takes its toll,” said Atherton.

"I did have a kind of instinct before that game that he was just looking like a man who'd been in the job four years. Whilst I don't think it's a resignation or a sacking offence at all, for Ben Stokes, the key thing is his kind of state of mind four years into the job," he added.