The controversy intensified after England opted to hand the captaincy to Joe Root rather than vice-captain Harry Brook for the second Test. Despite the backlash, England entered the match on the back of a dominant innings-and-115-run victory in the series opener at Lord’s.
Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, Hussain suggested that Stokes would be deeply disappointed by the criticism and likely feel he had let people down. However, he emphasized the immense pressure that comes with leading England over an extended period.
“I think Ben Stokes will feel like he’s let them down and will be a little embarrassed by what happened. Even before the summer began, he looked exhausted. Four years of captaincy can take a huge toll on any player, and I think we are seeing the effects of that,” Hussain said.
The former England skipper also highlighted how difficult it is for any cricketer to cope with a loss of form, especially someone who has delivered so many memorable moments for the national team.
“Nothing hits a cricketer harder than losing form. Ben Stokes has given so much to England, both as a player and as a captain. He got this one badly wrong, but I don’t see it as a sackable offence. He’s probably in a difficult place mentally right now, and I just hope he doesn’t start thinking about walking away from the game because of it,” Hussain added.
Atherton echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the situation should be viewed within the broader context of Stokes’ tenure as captain. He noted that leading England is one of the most demanding jobs in cricket and that few captains manage to remain effective beyond four years.
“I don’t think this is something that should lead to a resignation or a dismissal. Captaining England is an incredibly demanding role, and history shows that four years is often the limit before the pressure begins to show,” Atherton said.
The former opener admitted he had sensed signs of fatigue in Stokes even before the latest controversy emerged.
“Before this game, I already felt he looked like a man who had been carrying the burden of the job for four years. The real issue now isn’t whether he should remain captain, but how he is coping mentally with the demands of the role,” Atherton concluded.
Despite the criticism, both former captains believe Stokes deserves support rather than punishment, stressing that his long-term future will depend more on his mindset and ability to handle the pressures of leadership than on a single controversial decision.
