Nasser Hussain advises Ben Stokes to pick up another demerit point against West Indies

Former England international Nasser Hussain has come up with an unusual suggestion for English all-rounder Ben Stokes. The active commentator has asked Stokes to intentionally pick up another demerit point in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. The reason behind the same is that it will prevent Stokes from serving a ban during the Ashes this summer.

Ben Stokes picked up a third demerit point during the second day’s play of the 2nd Test for making an inappropriate comment at Headingley, Leeds. Stokes made the comment out of frustration in the 101st over of the West Indian innings when Shai hope edged a delivery of his to the boundary. Stokes’ unsuitable comment was caught on the stump mic and was heard by the match officials which got him into trouble.

If the prolific all-rounder bags another demerit point it will see him miss his next Test or two limited overs internationals. If this kind of a situation arouses he might not be available for the first Ashes Test.

What Hussain said:

“If I were [England captain Joe] Root I’d be tempted to tell him to get another demerit point during the third Test at Lord’s [against the Windies], so he’d reach the four-point threshold for a ban and miss two of the forthcoming one-day matches, for which he may have been rested anyway, rather than an Ashes game,” cricket.com.au quoted Nasser Hussain.

Hussain pointed out that that the Australians will try to get under his skin and provoke Stokes to react as they are aware of his fiery temper. “This winter the Aussies will be going at him with subtle little digs around the bat, knowing that he’s liable to gob off and possibly get banned for a Test,” he said. Stokes’ previous two demerit points came in October and November 2016 respectively for similar verbal faults.