Former England captain Ben Stokes hit back at speculation surrounding his retirement with a cryptic two-word post on social media after reports emerged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was investigating the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over footage of his retirement announcement.Stokes, who announced his decision to retire from international cricket during the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand, shared a report about the ICC’s allegations against the ECB on social media and added just two words. “Put him away…”The short post quickly went viral, sparking fresh debate among fans as to whether Stokes’ retirement was entirely his own decision or whether it came amid heightened tensions within English cricket.
ICC criticizes ECB in retirement announcement video
The controversy centered on footage taken inside England’s dressing room before play on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test, when Stokes announced to his team-mates that he was retiring from international cricket.The ECB later released the video, complete with audio, on social media and to broadcasters before the tea break while the Test was still underway.According to a BBC report, the ICC contacted the ECB, which said the publication may have violated the minimum standards of Players’ and Match Officials’ Areas (PMOA), which prohibits fixed or temporary recording equipment in dressing rooms for broadcasting purposes.The governing body’s regulations also state that footage captured in players’ areas must not contain audio or be released before the end of a match.In a letter sent to the ECB, the ICC reportedly alleged that the broadcast of Stokes’ emotional dressing-room address before the end of the Test violated standards, designed to support the sport’s anti-corruption framework.Neither the ECB nor the ICC have commented publicly on the matter.
Stokes’ post sparked new speculation
Stokes’ decision to repost the report with the caption “Sack him…” immediately attracted widespread attention online.While the all-rounder did not provide an explanation for the statement, many supporters interpreted it as tongue-in-cheek, while others suggested that it returned to speculation on the circumstances surrounding his retirement.When his retirement was announced during the Trent Bridge Test, Stokes explained that the timing of the public announcement was planned jointly by his management team and the ECB.Shortly after the news of his retirement became public, Stokes hit his next delivery, dismissing New Zealand’s Zak Foulkes before ending his international career the next day.The reported ICC investigation comes at a sensitive time for English cricket, with the ECB also looking for a new Test captain ahead of the upcoming series against Pakistan following Stokes’ retirement.