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'Sack him...': Ben Stokes' cheeky reaction as ECB accused of breaching ICC anti-corruption rules over retirement video originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- ICC contacted the ECB over a potential anti-corruption rules breach involving Ben Stokes’ England retirement video.
- The concern relates to dressing-room footage released during an ongoing Test match.
- Stokes joked “Sack him...” on social media after the controversy emerged.
- The former England captain retired after the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand.
Why is the ECB facing an ICC investigation over Ben Stokes retirement video?
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from the England cricket team during the third Test match between the England team and New Zealand. The all-rounder's dressing room speech was shared by England Cricket on X.
The footage being posted on social media and provided to the broadcasters even before the end of the fourth day of the Test match led to the ICC seek explanation from the ECB in conjunction with the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules.
"There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is that this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England," Stokes said in the video.
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What the ICC's anti-corruption regulations say about dressing room recordings
PMOA rules aims to ensure the integrity of international matches through restrictions concerning the usage of recording and communication devices in the restricted areas.
Article 2.2.11 of the PMOA rules state that governing bodies should "ensure that there are no fixed or temporary video cameras or other recording equipment set up within any dressing room used by the teams for the purposes of broadcasting video or audio footage".
The PMOA was formed to facilitate the anti-corruption code. The ECB was informed about the matter via a letter on Saturday. According to a BBC report, "The global governing body had also previously informed the ECB any footage shot in the PMOA must not carry audio or be released before the conclusion of a match."
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Ben Stokes reacts with hilarious "Sack him..." comment after ECB faces ICC scrutiny
Stokes seemed to take the controversy in good spirits. In response to Telegraph Sport's report that ICC had reached out to ECB regarding the video where the player announces his retirement, Stokes chose to make fun of the whole situation through a humorous post on X. The post was simply made up of the phrase "Sack him...".
What punishment could the ECB face over the Ben Stokes dressing room video?
Although the ICC appeared to have flagged an issue with the video, serious ramifications for Stokes or England arising from it are not expected.
At most, any disciplinary action in the case would pertain to the procedures adopted by the ECB for handling the recording and its release, not the player's announcement of his retirement per se.
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What next for Ben Stokes?
With the retirement of Ben Stokes, the book closes on a remarkable career, but his impact on English cricket cannot easily be forgotten.
At the age of 35, Stokes will leave behind an incredible legacy as one of the best all-rounders ever for England, as well as a captain who managed to change the way that England played Test cricket. While the ECB might address questions about the retirement video, Stokes will focus on the rest of his life outside international cricket.
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