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England captain Ben Stokes has described the ongoing Ashes tour as the most challenging period of his captaincy, urging greater empathy for his players amid intense scrutiny.
England’s difficult Ashes campaign, where they trail Australia 3–0, has been overshadowed by reports of excessive drinking during a team break in Noosa. England’s director of cricket Rob Key confirmed the matter is being investigated after an anonymous video surfaced on social media appearing to show opener Ben Duckett intoxicated. The BBC said the footage has not been verified, while the England and Wales Cricket Board stated it would establish the facts.
Speaking ahead of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Stokes acknowledged the pressure on his squad, highlighting the physical and mental strain of international cricket and time spent away from home. He stressed that while criticism is inevitable during poor results, players also deserve understanding during difficult moments.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan defended the players, saying young cricketers should not be harshly judged for relaxing between matches, and argued that Duckett should ultimately be assessed on his on-field performances.
Stokes, who has previously taken breaks from cricket to focus on his mental health, said his priority is protecting his players and ensuring their wellbeing. Duckett has retained his place for the fourth Test, with Stokes confirming he has spoken to him and offered full support.
Despite England’s poor run in Australia and the growing scrutiny on Stokes, Key and head coach Brendon McCullum, the skipper reaffirmed his commitment to the role, saying he will continue to lead from the front and stand by his team during adversity.
Source: BBC
