Ben Stokes ‘owes many an apology’, says Michael Vaughan

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan says Ben Stokes has “brought the game into disrepute”.

Following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September, Stokes was charged with affray. He was cleared of the charge after a jury found him not guilty at Bristol Crown Court earlier this week.

With the trial now concluded the all-rounder will have to face the Cricket Discipline Commission, but he is free to play for England. Stokes missed the Lord’s victory against India last week but is in the squad for the third Test starting on Saturday at Trent Bridge.

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The 27-year-old is expected to come straight back into the England side in Nottingham, but Vaughan doesn’t think he deserves a warm reception from the England supporters.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Vaughan said: “He has brought the game into disrepute. Knowing the England cricket fans as I do, they will give him a reception.

“I don’t think he deserves that. He’s certainly not a hero, as some have portrayed him to be.”

Although Stokes is back in the squad, Vaughan told the BBC he was surprised the all-rounder did not take some time away after eight days in crown court.

“I thought he might have wanted to take a bit of a breather from the game - to just step back, assess what’s gone on and be close to his family,” said Vaughan. “They’re the ones who have been put through a hell of a lot over the last ten months.

“I do think he owes many an apology. The cricketing fans around Ben will cheer him and love him. But most away from cricket don’t see him in a great light at all. He has to win back quite a lot of people in terms of the perception of what he is.”