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England Test team captain Ben Stokes has slammed critics of the national team’s training methods, calling them ‘utter rubbish’.
The England team’s training methods were scrutinized earlier this year, particularly during their white-ball tour of India.
Rob Key, the managing director of the England Cricket Board (ECB), addressed the criticism, stating that the notion of a relaxed, carefree environment was England’s own fault.
Now, the three Lions captain Ben Stokes has voiced his support for his team’s exceptional work ethic, mentioning that he is frustrated by their reputation.
“When you hear comments saying that we don’t train hard enough, we’re more bothered about golf, we don’t work hard enough, it’s just complete and utter [rubbish],” he said during an interview with Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports.
The dynamic all-rounder stressed the demands of an international sportsman while admitting that without a work ethic, a player could not sustain his place.
“You’re not going to be able to be an international sportsman for a long period of time if you don’t have a work ethic. Everyone who walks into the Test team, into the white-ball team, their work ethic is incredible,” Stokes explained.
Ben Stokes further highlighted the specific methods of the England team, stating that their activities relieve the squad’s burden.
“There is a reason for everything that we do, because we feel it helps players, it helps the team, but it also is a way of taking the pressure of what we do off us, without adding more to it.
“There’s enough pressure on the shoulders of everyone who walks out there with the three lions on their chest, and what we try and do is take any extra, added pressure off the shoulders of people,” he concluded.
