Sports · Cricket · 1 day ago
Ian Botham renews criticism of former England captain Ben Stokes
Former England cricket all-rounder Ian Botham has renewed his public dispute with Ben Stokes, another former England all-rounder and Test captain.
In an interview, Botham called Stokes a “stupid boy” and a “has-been,” while also describing him as a great player.
Their disagreement began after Botham criticised England’s preparations for last year’s Ashes series in Australia.
Stokes replied that cricket had changed and that this affected how the team could prepare.
Botham later called Stokes a has-been after he retired from England duty earlier this year.
Stokes responded on X with a joke about the phrase, and Botham has now repeated it while promoting a new book.
Ian Botham has renewed his criticism of former England captain Ben Stokes in comments to Times Magazine.
Botham called Stokes a “stupid boy” and criticised his response to England’s Ashes defeats and the team’s trip to Noosa.
The pair have exchanged criticism over England’s Ashes preparations and Stokes’s retirement from England duty.
Stokes previously said cricket had changed and that this affected how England could prepare.
- Who
- Ian Botham and Ben Stokes, both former England all-rounders.
- What
- Botham renewed his criticism of Stokes, including calling him a “stupid boy” and a “has-been”.
- When
- The comments were reported on 10 October 2026. The sources say Stokes retired from England duty earlier that year.
- Where
- Botham’s comments were made to Times Magazine. The criticism also referred to England’s trip to Noosa.
- Why
- Botham criticised Stokes’s remarks and England’s preparations and conduct during the Ashes. Stokes had previously defended the team’s preparation.
Ian Botham
Ben Stokes
Ashes preparation
Ian Botham
Botham criticised England’s preparations, saying the team had not played a state match.
Ben Stokes
Stokes said several factors prevented the team from preparing as players had in the past, and that cricket had changed.
Botham’s “has-been” remarks
Ian Botham
Botham called Stokes a “has-been” after his retirement from England duty.
Ben Stokes
Stokes responded that it was better to be a has-been than a never-been.
Stupid boy. I'll mention him only briefly because his self-indulgence is not something I enjoy.
There's quite a few factors that play into why we can't prepare how the has-beens maybe prepared in the past.
The landscape of cricket has changed and that affects preparation.
This is for you, Ben. Welcome to the has-beens club.
Botham criticised England’s preparations for the Ashes, prompting a response from Stokes.
England went to Noosa, a trip Botham later criticised.
Stokes retired from England duty.
Botham’s latest criticism of Stokes was reported.
- Latest comments
- Made to Times Magazine
- Noosa
- England went there after losing the first two matches
- Stokes’s Test debut
- 2013
- Stokes’s retirement
- From England duty earlier in 2026
Sources
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