Ashes failures: Stokes urges empathy for England players

Published: 24 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Ben Stokes has called on both the media and public to show empathy towards England players during a turbulent Ashes campaign in Australia. Sitting 3-0 down ahead of the Boxing Day Test, England have faced intense scrutiny, not only for their on-field performances but also for alleged off-field behaviour during a mid-tour break in Noosa. Reports suggest the team’s downtime between defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide resembled a “stag do,” with footage circulating online showing Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated and slurring his words.

Despite the video, Duckett retained his place in the squad, although England made changes to the XI for the fourth Test. Jofra Archer’s tour ended early due to a side strain, Ollie Pope was dropped, and Jacob Bethell and Gus Atkinson were brought in. Whether these alterations can reverse England’s fortunes remains uncertain. Stokes, speaking at Noosa, declined to address specifics as an internal review is ongoing but emphasised his commitment to his players’ welfare.

“My main concern right now is my players,” Stokes said. “The welfare of everyone in there, and some certain individuals as well, is the most important thing to me right now – to get them into the best possible state to try and perform for their country and for the remainder of this trip.”

The England captain appeared visibly emotional during his pre-match press conference, reflecting on his own experiences under scrutiny. Stokes referred to his 2017 Bristol street fight incident, from which he was later cleared of affray, and the personal struggles he faced in 2021, including panic attacks triggered by the media fallout and the death of his father.

“This kind of stuff is very … I don’t know if close to me is the right wording, but I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people. It’s never a nice place to be in when not only the media world, but also the social media world, is just piling on top of you. You don’t really have a leg to stand on when you have lost three games in a huge series like this. When you’re winning, everything’s great. When you’re losing, it’s not,” Stokes said.

“Just in this moment right now, I think a little bit of empathy from everyone would be not too hard to think about, if that makes sense.”

Regarding Duckett, who has averaged just 16 runs this series, Stokes stressed his value to the team. “He’s an incredibly influential person within this group. But he knows that he’s got the support of myself and the other guys around him as well. I’ve had some pretty good times over my career. I’ve also had some pretty tough times. This is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I’ll have. I ain’t going to run away from it.”

While the debate over alcohol consumption in professional sport is ongoing, the four-night break on the Sunshine Coast is not the primary factor behind England’s 3-0 series deficit. Nonetheless, it reflects a campaign that began with optimism but faltered due to a mix of poor preparation and on-field decision-making. Archer’s injury compounds the challenge, as he is now expected to return home, racing to recover in time for the T20 World Cup in India in February.

England face a crucial period in which leadership, player welfare, and team cohesion will be tested. Stokes’ appeal for empathy highlights the human dimension of high-performance sport, where scrutiny and pressure can take a toll as much as injuries and tactical errors. The team’s response in the remaining Ashes fixtures will determine whether lessons can be learned and resilience restored or whether this campaign will be remembered as another chapter of disappointment in Australian conditions.

The broader conversation around England’s approach will likely continue beyond the series, focusing on culture, preparation, and the responsibilities of players and management alike. While the spotlight shines harshly on Duckett, Stokes’ stance suggests a captain committed to protecting his team, navigating adversity with both accountability and compassion. Public empathy, according to Stokes, is not just a courtesy but a necessary element in allowing players to perform under extreme pressure.

The Ashes series, steeped in history and national expectation, continues to test England on multiple fronts. From injuries to off-field distractions, the squad’s resilience is being challenged as much as their cricketing ability. As scrutiny intensifies, Stokes’ call for empathy underscores the need to balance criticism with understanding, particularly during the most challenging periods of an international sporting campaign.