The all-rounder’s court case may be over but the England and Wales Cricket Board’s handling of this affair doubtless has a few more embarrassing twists and turns to take yet
I am relieved to learn that the not guilty verdict in the Ben Stokes affray trial has ended what has been widely acknowledged as a period of awkwardness for the England and Wales Cricket Board. “ECB’s embarrassment over after Stokes cleared,” declared Sky News.
Newly unembarrassed – or found not guilty, if you prefer, of being embarrassing – the ECB moved swiftly after the verdict to issue a statement. “Ben Stokes will now join the England squad for the third Specsavers Test against India,” this ran, “which starts at Trent Bridge on Saturday.” There was, however, a small caveat. “Considerable detail has been heard in this week-long court case,” they explained, “and, in due course, there will be a range of matters for the Board to fully consider.”
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