Ben Stokes attacks ICC. openly threatens India in press conference
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England skipper Ben Stokes has finally arrived for a press conference ahead of their fourth Test against India at Manchester. He has once again taken the internet by storm with his bold remarks.
This time, even the International Council of Cricket has not been spared by the English skipper. Stokes has hit upon the ICC for having discrepant rules, which should be varied under different conditions of play.
Another major question that Stokes had to face was their strategy of mind games, which they used to a huge extent in the second innings at Lord's. Ben had another quirky response to the engaging question.
The England all-rounder has been a star in the series so far, especially with the ball and his strategies, which helped England win two very difficult as well as crucial games to take an early lead in the series.
Ben Stokes highlights discrepancy in 'slow over-rate' rule
England skipper Ben Stokes has already been fined once in the ongoing India vs England Test series due to his team's slow over-rate in the second innings of the Lord's Test.
Unlike the previous games, the Lord's Test was played more traditionally by both teams, as the players left their aggressive sides and adapted to the orthodox defensive modules of Test cricket. Hence, the bowlers had to bowl long spells, and the tired bowlers often took more time to complete their overs.
Stokes has rightly pointed out that the rules should not be the same in Asia as in countries like England or New Zealand, and other SENA countries. This is because under Asian conditions, 70% of the overs are usually bowled by spinners, whereas in SENA conditions, the pacers have to operate for most of the overs.
"You can’t have the same rules in Asia where 70 per cent of the overs are bowled by spinners, compared to here in England, New Zealand and other countries, where pacers operate more," to quote Ben Stokes from the press conference.
Sledging loaded: Ben Stokes cautions India before Manchester Test
India might have begun the heated exchange at Lord's when the entire Indian team showed some fury towards English openers who were looking to waste some time towards the end of the day's play, but England has mastered the art over the years.
Sledging is not something new in English cricket, but they behaved until they needed to adapt to their antics. Ben Stokes made a similar statement, which implied that there is no backing away if something comes towards them, though they do not wish to start any such exchange.
Ben Stokes on sledging: Massive series, heat will be shown. Have England been nice? “Potentially,” adds they will not purposely start anything but will not take any backward step.
— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) July 22, 2025
On workload: I was in my bed for two days… felt like in long distance relation with my family.
England docked WTC points for a slow over rate at Lord's
England, who have never been able to qualify for the finals of the ICC World Test Championship, have been docked two points for a slow over rate in their slim 22-run victory at Lord's.
As a result of this, the tally of England's points, who have won two matches, has fallen from 24 to 22 on the WTC Points table, as the percentage has also slipped to 61.11 from a usual 66.67, taking them to the third spot below Sri Lanka.
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Ben Stokes ICC ICC World Test Championship
