India vs England: Ben Stokes Not A Hero As He Has Brought Game Into Disrepute, Says Michael Vaughan

India vs England: Ben Stokes faces an internal disciplinary enquiry by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) following his acquittal by unanimous decision of a jury yesterday and has been included in the England squad for the Nottingham Test.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been cleared off charges of affray at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, is not a hero and “does not deserve” a warm reception from England fans in the third Test against India at Trent  Bridge beginning this weekend.

The 27-year-old New Zealand-born all-rounder faces an internal disciplinary enquiry by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) following his acquittal by unanimous decision of a jury yesterday and has been included in the England squad for the Nottingham Test.

Speaking in an interview to BBC, Vaughan, “He has brought the game into disrepute. Knowing the England cricket fans as I do, they will give him a reception. I don’t think he deserves that. He’s certainly not a hero, as some have portrayed him to be.”

The former batsman said Stokes owes an apology to fans. “I do think he owes many an apology. The cricketing fans around Ben will cheer him and love him. But most away from cricket don’t see him in a great light at all. He has to win back quite a lot of people in terms of the perception of what he is,” he said.

Vaughan, who captained England between 2003 and 2008, further said he was surprised the 27-year old decided against taking a break from cricket after the trial. “I can’t get my head around why he wouldn’t want to take a little bit of time off – even if England wanted him. He’s just gone through eight days in crown court,” he said.

“The cricketing fans around Ben will cheer him and love him. But most away from cricket don’t see him in a great light at all. He has to win back quite a lot of people in terms of the perception of what he is,”he added.

England are currently 2-0 in the ongoing Test series against India and will be aiming to seal the five-match rubber in Nottingham.