‘We’re going to move on’: Ben Stokes caught in tense exchange with reporter over E-scooter criticism
England captain Ben Stokes was caught in an awkward exchange with a reporter after he and multiple other players copped criticism over an off-field gaffe.
The skipper was photographed with Jamie Smith and Mark Wood riding E-scooters without helmets in Brisbane, causing some backlash among locals.
The act would usually carry a $166 fine under the state’s road rules, but Queensland Police have since confirmed the cricket stars would escape sanction.
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However, that didn’t stop the topic being raised during Stokes’ pre-game media address on Wednesday evening ahead of the second Test at the Gabba.
The champion all-rounder asked if he ‘acknowledged it was the wrong thing to do’ and gave a rather blunt response.
Ben Stokes responds to criticism of his E-scooter gaffe Twitter/Nine
“Next time we’re on a scooter, we will wear helmets,” Stokes replied.
He was then asked a follow-up question as to whether Queenslanders were owed an apology, to which Stokes gave the exact same response.
The reporter continued to pepper Stokes over the incident.
“Are you not going to make any further comment about this, other than what you’ve just said?” she said.
England’s media manager then quickly intervened.
“No, we’re going to move on,” he said from behind Stokes.
The 34-year-old had spoken about the criticism to the BBC earlier on Wednesday, with a headline in News Corp outlets labelling Stokes and his teammates as “Pommy Idiots”.
“If they think it is going to stop us enjoying this country when we have time off then it is not going to do that,” he said.
Ben Stokes Getty
“Australia is the best country to tour away from cricket. There are so many things to do.
“You can go out and about and see things that only Australia has to offer, great golf courses, coffee shops and easy places to have lunch.
“We are human. We need to enjoy countries when we get the opportunity because we live in England where it is miserable, freezing cold and dark at 4pm.”
Stokes will lead the visitors into a must-win pink-ball clash at the Gabba, which begins at 3pm AEDT on Thursday afternoon.
