BEN STOKES has been branded a “d***head” in the Australian media.
Stokes has been banned indefinitely by England and faces being stripped of the vice captaincy after footage appeared to show him punching two during a brawl in Bristol.
Ben Stokes banned by England after video shows him punching two men in brawl
The Aussies will surely be lapping up the disarray England find themselves with under two months until the 1st Test in Brisbane.
All-rounder Stokes is vital to England’s hopes of retaining the urn.
And Aussie legend Ian Chappell claims the tourists don’t have a “hope in hell” if the Durham man ultimately misses out on spot in the 16-man squad.
The Sydney Morning Herald rarely pass up the chance to stick the boot into England’s misfortunes.
And SMH writer Malcom Knox wrote: “It's sad that such a tremendous cricketer is also, on this evidence, a d***head
“Plenty of d***heads have played cricket at the highest level, a good number of them for Australia.
“The unspoken rule is that the greater the talent, the longer the leash.
“This is not Shane Warne pestering a woman. This is not sledging or ball-tampering or dissent. It is not a one-off drunken peccadillo.”
Chappell, who played 75 Test for his country, says that Joe Root’s side do not have a chance if Stokes misses the tour.
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The former Aussie skipper said: “They can’t win without him. For a number of reasons.
“Obviously his ability is the main thing, but also, he’s a matchwinning player and those sort of players drag the rest of the team along with them and makes them better.
“He’s got that approach that he’s not overawed by anyone and certainly not by the Australians and I would in fact say the opposite.
“He’s probably one of those players inspired by playing against the better teams and again that has a flow on effect to the fellas that don’t have that sort of confidence.
“I don’t think they’ve got a hope in hell without him.”
Former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian Healy reckons the treatment Stokes would get from opponents would be the least of his problems.
Stokes is one demerit point away from landing an international ban, meaning his next indiscretion could see him miss a match in the series – whether he is cleared by England to fly out or not.
Healy, who played 119 Test behind the timbers, said: “I don’t know whether he can expect or care.
“What you cop from the crowd doesn’t matter. Just straighten out your behaviour.
“There’s so much more to be concerned with than cricket or the crowd if he does get out here.”
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