Ashes 2017/18: Alastair Cook Says Stokes' Absence has Changed the World for England

England opener Alastair Cook, who will play in his 150^th Test match on Thursday in Perth feels the World changed for English cricket after the Ben Stokes incidence.

Stokes was an integral part of England’s squad, but after the Bristol bar incidence, Stokes did not travel to Australia with the team for the ongoing Ashes where his side is trailing 0-2 in the series.

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Stokes is under investigation for causing actual bodily harms to a 27-year old man outside a bar after England’s win against the Windies in Bristol.

Stokes was arrested by the police next day, but was released and is still under investigation for the incidence. However, he has been picked for the One Day squad to play against Australia after the Ashes.

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In another incident which includes an English player under the influence of alcohol was when Ben Duckett poured beer on England fast bowler James Anderson.

Cook said the English team cannot afford any more mistakes like these and should focus back on cricket,

“It has been a very strange thing. The world has obviously changed for the English cricket team from September. We have taken a couple of months to really realise that. These last two incidents have proved that. I’ve seen words written down, ‘trivial misdemeanour at best’, but since the Stokes incident times have changed for the English cricket team.” 

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He also spoke on off-field incidences which involved Duckett and Jonny Bairstow,

“It’s sad in some ways because we have always been a bit different to football and been able to go under the radar a bit and enjoy playing cricket for England and enjoy seeing the country outside that. But the spotlight was now firmly on England and its off-field antics and “it’s now down to us to adjust to it quickly, and we can’t afford any more mistakes”. 

James Anderson also expressed his views on the incident which involved him and Duckett saying,

“The frustrating thing is that what was a pretty silly incident would have gone unnoticed before but now puts an unfair question mark over our (team’s) culture. We are all aware that from now on even a minor incident will be seized upon. I know Australia will use the Duckett incident as a way of goading us, or taking the mickey. Fine. The players have moved on already. Our main focus is getting back in the series. That is all everyone is talking about.”

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