Ben Stokes the man is threatening to overtake Stokes the cricketer: This is what he must do to become England's feared match-winner again
The news that Ben Stokes has not touched alcohol since January 2 was both reassuring and a sign of the times.
England's Test captain – 34 in June – is determined not to hasten his retirement by punishing his body off the field as well as on it, and not every all-rounder in the past has shared that resolve. Then again, Stokes the man is in danger of ousting Stokes the cricketer, both on the page and in the imagination.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
England v West Indies: third women's cricket ODI
Update: Date: 2025-06-07T09:23:41.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Good morning! After a whirlwind few weeks, it all comes to an end today at Taunton, for the third and final ODI and the last match of this white-ball series against West Indies. If England win today, they will be undefeated this summer, and the margins of victory - by over a hundred runs in the ODIs and T20 wins by eight and nine wickets, and 17 runs - show the gulf between the two sides. England are bouncing – the collegiate captaincy of NSB working well, and some tasty performances from top – Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones – to bottom - Lauren Filer and Lindsey Smith. But there have been some bright sparks for West Indies too – not the least the sparkling half century by debutant pocket rocket Realeanna Grimmand in the last game. Play starts at 11am, do join us.
BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Blame game' over club's injury record
Speak to those behind the scenes at Tottenham and they will explain how injuries have been the most pertinent factor behind their recent Romero, Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Guglielmo Vicario are among the players to have spent extended spells on the sidelines this season - many with muscular Maddison, Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall were all unavailable in Bilbao, while Son started on the bench because he was deemed unfit having only recently returned from sources have told BBC Sport the club's injury record has been at the centre of some friction between members of the coaching team and medical and strength and conditioning staff over the course of the season."It's been the blame game," one well-placed source injury-disrupted campaign has been a real bone of contention, according to sources, particularly in the aftermath of the 4-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Liverpool in February when, having only recently returned from hamstring and groin problems, the Brazil international injured a there have been other examples this season when Ange Postecoglou's team and the medical and fitness department have not seen eye to more from Mokbel on the reasons behind Postecoglou's sacking
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
A Tottenham Hotspur legend forever – Son Heung-min hails sacked Ange Postecoglou
Son Heung-min hailed Ange Postecoglou as a ' Tottenham Hotspur legend' as the club's supporters' trust expressed 'concern' with another change in manager. Postecoglou ended Spurs' 17-year wait for silverware with Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, but it failed to earn the Australian a third season. A club statement on Friday announcing Postecoglou's departure highlighted a woeful Premier League campaign where Tottenham finished 17th, which is their lowest top-flight finish since relegation in 1977. Captain Son was one of several Spurs players to pay tribute to Postecoglou, writing on Instagram: 'Gaffer. You've changed the trajectory of this club. 'You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did. 'You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life. 'You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you. 'Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate.' Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was Postecoglou's first signing and said: 'You are not only a top manager, you are an incredible person to work for, a real leader, a mentor, and someone I'll always look up to. 'What we achieved together will stay in the history books. Wishing you nothing but success as I know you will go on to achieve more and more. Thank you, Boss.' Dutch defender Micky van de Ven added: 'Gaffer, thank you for everything! Believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club. 'Many ups and downs in the last two years but you kept believing in us and kept pushing us. Big part of the success from the club this year, and forever grateful that u made me part of it. All the best.' Striker Dominic Solanke signed for Spurs last summer in a £65million deal. He said: 'Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy. '(I) won't ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure.' Right-back Pedro Porro insisted the 59-year-old would 'always be celebrated', writing: 'Thank you for everything, boss. 'I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated.' Forward Richarlison added: 'Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season.' The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust thanked Postecoglou for an 'amazing night' in Bilbao but acknowledged league results were a 'long way short' of expectation. 'Our concern now is that it appears we will have yet another change of direction and that this is something that is becoming a habit since we said goodbye to Mauricio Pochettino in 2019,' a THST statement read. 'We can only hope that the right decision has been made and that the new manager is fully supported by the board and everyone at the club to build on the cup success that Ange has lain. 'He will need the finances to build a strong squad that can challenge simultaneously on many fronts. We wish whoever is appointed well. Spurs fans have had a taste of glory and we don't want to wait another 17 years for more.' Brentford boss Thomas Frank is reported to be the leading contender to take over, with Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Fulham manager Marco Silva, Burnley head coach Scott Parker and Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth also linked with the post.
