Michael Vaughan has suggested that Ben Stokes’ surprise decision to retire from international cricket may have been influenced by a breakdown in his relationship with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
After England’s defeat at The Oval, the former England captain made comments where he said individuals had “magnified” against Stokes following the nightclub incident, saying he knew who the all-rounder was who ruled him out of Tests.
Stokes has not spoken publicly since announcing his retirement midway through the fourth day of England’s series-deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
However, during an emotional dressing-room speech he reportedly told his stunned teammates before the game that “why wait?”
Speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special, Vaughan, with whom Stokes shares the same manager as Neil Fairbrother, said he believed the decision stemmed from a loss of confidence in those around him.
“I think about the last couple of weeks,” Vaughan said. “When you’re England captain, you have to trust the people you work with. You have to trust everyone around: the management, the ECB.
“I honestly think there’s a lack of confidence and it drives you on. I’m not saying that’s the only reason Ben Stokes quit, but all of this: it’s been a tough winter, there’s been incidents off the field as well.
“Obviously in that first Test (at) Lord’s, he didn’t look good at Lord’s. He’s not the Ben Stokes he was a few years ago. Then there’s that incident and he’s obviously had a fight with the ECB all last week and that’s probably knocked a bit of confidence out of him.”
Vaughan also suggested that at 35, Stokes may feel his desire to continue leading England has faded.
“Basically, it looks like he’s just waking up and he’s going, ‘No, the fight’s gone, and the fire isn’t lit yet,'” Vaughan said.
“I’m interested to hear why he says – why at this stage, obviously when he’s come back from the incident, he’s played well this week, especially with the ball this week: 4 for 4 in the first innings, bowled a tremendous spell, the bat was perfect.
“But I think that fire, that fire only burns in you when you have a team around you that you are totally trustable (sic) and something has happened. We can’t hide that fact. I believe that’s not one of the main reasons why he has to step down.”