This is my toughest time as captain – Stokes

Ben Stokes called for “empathy” for this team-mates as he acknowledged that this was his “toughest time” as England captain.

Reports of excessive drinking have plagued the tourists’ terrible Ashes series.

After three Tests against Australia, England are already 3-0, with the possibility of regaining the urn and the possibility of a humiliating clean sweep in the final two.

Rob Key, England’s director, confirmed on Tuesday that he would look into players’ behavior while they were vacationing in the coastal town of Noosa during the second and third Tests.

Later that day, a video of opener Ben Duckett drunk appeared on social media.

The England and Wales Cricket Board stated that the video would “establish the facts,” but the BBC did not confirm it.

As England prepares to play the fourth Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day, according to Stokes, who told BBC Sport, “This is probably the most difficult time of my life as an England captain.”

I won’t leave it at that moment. I think I’ll be the one to guide men through it the rest of this trip.

Stokes would not agree with the allegations against Duckett.

When questioned about the scrutiny his team-mates are subject to, he responded, “We have other guys who play all three formats and spend a lot more time away from home than others.”

“It is very grueling and difficult when you’re here, there, and everywhere,” he declared.

I am aware that people’s actions are far worse than ours. You have to deal with the emotions of being away and the scrutiny you are subject to, especially when things don’t go well.

It becomes clear that “everything just gets heightened, but there needs to be a little bit of empathy for things that people might not quite comprehend,” but I guess it’s difficult to understand if you’re not in it or you’re not even in it.

Stokes, who became captain in 2022, cited his own personal experiences with “quite tough times.”

Due to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub, the 34-year-old missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour. Stokes was indicted for a charge of affraying him later.

In order to prioritize his mental well-being, Stokes also took a five-month break from playing cricket in the summer of 2021.

Later, the all-rounder revealed he had panic attacks and feared he wouldn’t play again. In a documentary that was released in August 2022, his struggles were revealed.

Over the course of my career, I’ve had some pretty good times. He added that I’ve also gone through some difficult times.

“I’m obviously aware of reports and the news that is circulates.” As England captain, the players and everyone in the dressing room are my top concerns.

“I am aware of how it can feel when everything just piles on top of you.” It’s challenging. As England captain, my top priority is making sure everyone is safe.

Stokes claims he spoke to the opener to offer his full support, and Duckett has continued to play for England in his place for the fourth Test.

According to Stokes, Duckett was an “incredibly influential person” within the group.

Stokes, Key, and head coach Brendon McCullum’s future will face significant scrutiny, both for the Ashes results and for the England players’ behavior in Australia.

Stokes claimed that he “absolutely” wanted to stay as skipper following his disappointing third Test defeat in Adelaide, which ended England’s fourth successive Ashes defeat in Australia.

When things are going well, Stokes said, “Everything is easy.” There are times when I believe the responsibility for this actually falls on you more than it ever has.

England’s Ashes tour was scheduled a year before the Ashes, and it succeeded despite the tourists’ 2-0 defeat in two Tests.

On the Queensland coast, the England squad spent four nights. Some players were drinking a significant amount of their time in Noosa, as well as two previous days in Brisbane, where the second Test was taking place, according to reports from various media outlets, including the BBC.

It’s much easier to do things when you’re winning, Stokes said. When you’re losing, as we’ve done when we’ve been 3-0 down, you get criticized, criticized, and rightly so.

When you’re 3-0 up in a big series like this, “you don’t really have a leg to stand on.”

England have won 18 of their last 18 matches against Australia. To avoid becoming the fourth England team to lose 5-0 in this nation, the visitors must avoid losing one of the final two games.

Use of this kind of material either causes you to let it accumulate too much or allows you to use it as fuel, Stokes said.