England cricket captain Ben Stokes has issued a defiant response to intense media scrutiny in Australia, vowing that his team's enjoyment of the Ashes tour will not be compromised. His comments come after photographs surfaced showing Stokes and teammates Mark Wood and Jamie Smith riding electric scooters in Brisbane without wearing helmets, a breach of local road rules.
"They are just there": Stokes on Relentless Media Attention
Stokes revealed the scale of the press intrusion since England's arrival, which began with a local newspaper branding him a 'Cocky Captain Complainer'. "When we got here, there were cameras in front of the hotel from 8am, following us on the golf course and even when we went out for some lunch yesterday," he said. While he expected attention, the England skipper admitted being taken aback by its persistence, questioning the motive behind it.
He was adamant, however, that it would not force the squad into hiding. "If they think it is going to stop us enjoying this country when we have time off, then it is not going to do that," Stokes asserted. He emphasised the importance of downtime on a demanding tour, describing Australia as the best country to visit away from cricket and encouraging his players to live normally despite the cameras.
Police Intervention and a Key Bowling Absence
The scooter incident carried potential legal consequences, as riding an e-scooter without a helmet in Queensland is a legal requirement, with fines of up to $166 (£82). The Queensland Police Service confirmed they were aware of the circulated images and had engaged with the players involved. A spokesperson stated: "Officers have since engaged with those persons to inform and educate them on compliance requirements." No fines were issued.
In a significant blow to England's preparations, the tour has been impacted by injury. Fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane after a knee injury flared up. He has been replaced in the starting XI by Will Jacks, a setback for the visitors' attack.
Team Unity and the Importance of Switching Off
Stokes's sentiments were echoed by batter Ollie Pope, who stressed the psychological need for players to decompress. "As cricketers and people, it is important to try and switch off and be yourself," Pope said. He warned against the unhealthy alternative of isolating in hotel rooms, drawing a parallel with COVID lockdowns, and reinforced that enjoying their surroundings is vital for performance.
The episode underscores the intense spotlight on the England team throughout the Ashes series. Stokes's clear message to his squad is to ignore the external noise, focus on cricket, and embrace their time in Australia—helmets firmly on for any future scooter excursions.
