Stokes calls for ‘empathy’ for England players and pledges support for Duckett

December 25, 2025

TL;DR

Ben Stokes is calling for empathy towards the England cricket team, who are facing criticism during a difficult Ashes campaign.
Allegations of excessive drinking during a mid-tour break and a viral video of Ben Duckett have surfaced.
Stokes stated his main concern is the welfare of his players and getting them into the best possible state to perform.
He alluded to his own past experiences with media scrutiny and personal struggles, drawing parallels to the current situation.
Jofra Archer's tour is over due to a side strain, and other team changes have been made for the upcoming Test.
Stokes acknowledged this is a tough period as captain but is not running away from it.
The article suggests that while alcohol consumption is a broader discussion, the team's break is not the primary reason for their poor performance.

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