Michael Vaughan lashes out at Ben Stokes, says the all-rounder needs to change lifestyle

Former England Michael Vaughan has lashed out at Ben Stokes for his involvement in the alleged brawl outside the nightclub in Bristol. The all-rounder was arrested by the police in the early hours of Monday morning after the third ODI against Windies. Vaughan feels that he needs to change his lifestyle and needs to behave responsibly as he is the vice-captain of the side. Stokes is a vital cog in the lineup for England side across formats.

He was held overnight by the police on the suspicion of causing bodily harm in a drunken incident but was released later without any charges. However, Stokes has been ruled out of the fourth ODI of the series against the Caribbean side along with Alex Hales who was with him during the arrest. Though he is likely to retain his spot for the Ashes squad which will be announced on Wednesday when Andrew Strauss confirmed that the selectors have been asked to pick the players only on the basis of form and fitness.

He can’t say he was not warned

Vaughan has warned the young all-rounder in his column for Daily Telegraph. He feels only one person can ruin Stokes’ career and that’s him. “Ben Stokes can’t say he was not warned. I have been privy to private conversations about him recently and he has been given strong warnings about his lifestyle. People have said to him there is only one person who can ruin your career and that is you. Nobody else,” he revealed.

While Stokes one of the finest all-rounders the game has ever witnessed, the 42-year-old advised him to be cautious of his off-field actions as it could prove to be his downfall.

“He has the talent, plays all three formats relatively easily, and has the world at his feet. In time we could be describing him as a cricketing genius. But he has to understand that if he wants to be a superstar, and go over to India, earn huge IPL contracts and keep them, he has to be careful off the field. I am not saying be teetotal or not have a flutter at the casino,” Vaughan wrote.

“He needs a way to let off steam and live a life. But on the field he is a streetwise cricketer. He understands the game. He gets cricket. But he is not streetwise off the pitch and that could be his downfall. I am hoping this is his lesson,” the former cricketer continued.

The Bristol incident isn’t the first time Stokes has been found drunk out of proportion. Stokes was asked to return home from England Lions tour after a late-night drinking session in 2013.