Ben Stokes had the last laugh, dishing out a cheeky quip on social media after the ECB faced an ICC inquiry over a video that's left the cricket world in stitches. The England and Wales Cricket Board is facing heat from the International Cricket Council over a clip filmed inside the England dressing room during Stokes' final Test match, which was released to the public while the game was still underway.
The footage showed Stokes informing his teammates of his decision to hang up his Test boots – a move that overshadowed much of the remaining play in England's loss against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The ECB had shared the video on day four of the match, and it's since been revealed that the ICC has formally written to the board alleging a breach of rules related to the Players’ and Match Officials’ Areas (PMOA) at international matches.
The PMOA protocols are designed to keep corruption out of the game, with Article 2.2.11 of the minimum standards making it clear that governing bodies must ensure no cameras or recording equipment are set up in dressing rooms for broadcasting purposes – and that any footage shot within the PMOA must not include audio or be released before a match concludes.
The ECB was reportedly given a reminder of these rules by the ICC last Saturday, but despite facing an inquiry, it's unlikely to result in severe penalties. Instead, it's seen as a chance for the board to brush up on their standards – and perhaps get a bit more creative with their video releases!
Stokes himself had a word or two on social media about the situation, joking 'Sack him ...' His light-hearted comment comes at an interesting time, with speculation rife over who'll take over as England's Test captain – with one-day skipper Harry Brook reportedly in the frame for the role.
Source: The Telegraph, BBC