Families of one-punch victims who tragically lost their lives have expressed anger and astonishment at England’s decision to pick all-rounder Ben Stokes for its upcoming one-day international tour of Australia.
Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm during a wild street brawl in Bristol in September that saw a man receive a broken eye socket.
The 26-year-old, who has been stood down from England’s Ashes tour until he learns if he will be charged over the incident, was named in England’s 16-man squad for the one-day series, a decision coach Trevor Bayliss acknowledged would create a “circus”.
Matt Cronin, the father of Pat Cronin – a Melbourne teenager who died last year after being punched from behind at a bar – said that he was “astounded” when he heard of Stokes’ selection.
“I understand more than anyone that there’s a legal process to follow but the evidence is there … there’s absolutely no excuse for what he did from what I’ve seen on the vision,” he told The New Daily.
“I’m really disappointed in the decision. These are serious allegations and charges are pending – surely they would stand him down?
“My comment to the English Cricket Board would be how disappointed I am at their lack of moral judgement. To even contemplate picking him … do they want to bring their business into disrepute?
“By picking him, the English Cricket Board are essentially condoning his behaviour.
“What are we saying as a society if he is allowed to play?
“I’d be disgusted if an Australian was allowed to play in the same circumstances.”
Cronin – director of the Pat Cronin Foundation, which hopes to end coward-punch attacks through awareness, education and research – said that Stokes was extremely fortunate not to be facing more serious charges.
“He is so, so lucky that he didn’t kill the guy,” he said.
“It only takes one punch to kill. It just makes me feel sick after what happened with Pat.
“It doesn’t seem to be getting better – it’s time for action. It’s time for society to make a strong stance against these attacks.”
Stokes has been playing domestic cricket for New Zealand’s Canterbury over the last week in a bid to finetune his game for the Australia tour.
Paul Stanley also lost a son to mindless violence.
At just 15, Matthew Stanley was killed by a single punch at an 18-year-old’s birthday party in suburban Brisbane.
“My son Matt went to that birthday party with his mates and went to have fun … he didn’t go there to die,” Paul Stanley told The New Daily.
“All the sorry’s will never bring him back.
“No violence is acceptable in any way, shape or form.
“He [Stokes] probably doesn’t realise how bloody lucky he is not to be facing a murder charge.”
Paul Stanley, like Matt Cronin, has set up a foundation to educate young people about the dangers of violence.
The Matthew Stanley Foundation sees Paul speak at more than 200 Queensland schools each year and he urged sporting administrators to be far more pro-active to combat violence – both on the field and off the field.
“I really believe sporting administrators have got to take more responsibility on issues like this … these people aren’t sporting heroes – they are thugs,” he said.
“We say ‘that’s not cricket’ in cricket [for unsporting acts] – well it’s certainly not cricket belting a guy.
“Too often we see these sporting heroes, and I say that [heroes] in inverted commas, taking to the knuckle.
“And soon they will be standing around shaking heads and saying ‘why didn’t we do something about it?’ when something major happens.”
http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/cricket/2017/12/07/ben-stokes-england/
...�� <a href="https://t.co/xSStYeWPbJ">pic.twitter.com/xSStYeWPbJ</a></p>— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) <a href="https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/952922187362717698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
