‘Better to be what you were than to be what you never were’: Ben Stokes hits back at Ian Botham | Cricket News

Ben Stokes responded to England’s great criticism Ian Botham He made a tongue-in-cheek post on social media after announcing his retirement from international cricket.Botham made the light-hearted remarks on the Test Match Special podcast after Stokes retired from international cricket following last month’s Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand. Speaking about Stokes’ retirement, Botham joked that the England captain has now joined a senior club. “As far as we know Michael Vaughan & I. We don’t know what we’re talking about. A pair of old things. “Ben, if you’re listening, congratulations on joining the club. You’re out of date now,” Botham said. Stokes was quick to respond on X, quoting an oft-quoted quote from Botham himself. Stokes posted: “‘Better to have been than never to have been’ was attributed to Lord Ian Botham.”

ben stokes post

Botham publicly criticized Stokes shortly after England captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson breached the team’s midnight curfew while celebrating England’s first Test win against New Zealand. Botham questioned Stokes’ judgment on the Sticking to Cricket podcast and said he was disappointed with the episode, especially given the support he had previously provided to the all-rounder during difficult moments in his career. “Some people just don’t learn, don’t they? It’s as simple as that. We as a club supported Ben Stokes when he had his problems at Bristol and I supported him as chairman but I don’t really see how you can justify what happened after the game,” Botham said. Stokes retires as one of England’s greatest all-rounders, ending a 15-year international career that included more than 250 games across all competitions and countless memorable performances for his country.