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[FattusCattus]

well it would seem that being able to prove 'severe provocation' may well be the only way to get him off the hook.

One would hope the ECB have a lawyer shoot straight down to Bristol to be involved in the interview process, and that someone has taken Ben and Alex to one side and got their side of the story.

ECB must be forced into clarifying the situation soon to avoid further media speculation.

[petehosk]

I suspect he will still go to Aus, but as punishment will be stripped of his Vice-Captain status!
Or put another way, they will pull every string to get him on the plane!

[smilley792]

Having read many reports, I have to disagree with most on here.

All seem to agree that the guy floored had earlier attacked someone with a bottle.

Some say stokes.
Some say one of stokes party.
Other say a female not part of stokes group.

If any off that is true, then stokes deserves a medal.
Any scum waving bottles around at people while drunk don't tend to know when to stop, lots of story's in the news about guys fighting. Everyone moves on, accept the dude that starts it that follows and waits to attack from behind.

Don't take chances! If someone attacks you with a weapon. Put them in the hospital.

[justnotcricket86]

Having read many reports, I have to disagree with most on here.

All seem to agree that the guy floored had earlier attacked someone with a bottle.

Some say stokes.
Some say one of stokes party.
Other say a female not part of stokes group.

If any off that is true, then stokes deserves a medal.
Any scum waving bottles around at people while drunk don't tend to know when to stop, lots of story's in the news about guys fighting. Everyone moves on, accept the dude that starts it that follows and waits to attack from behind.

Don't take chances! If someone attacks you with a weapon. Put them in the hospital.

Agreed

[northernboy1987]

Having read many reports, I have to disagree with most on here.

All seem to agree that the guy floored had earlier attacked someone with a bottle.

Some say stokes.
Some say one of stokes party.
Other say a female not part of stokes group.

If any off that is true, then stokes deserves a medal.
Any scum waving bottles around at people while drunk don't tend to know when to stop, lots of story's in the news about guys fighting. Everyone moves on, accept the dude that starts it that follows and waits to attack from behind.

Don't take chances! If someone attacks you with a weapon. Put them in the hospital.

I tend to agree. Perhaps it's a northern thing? Bottles are a cowards move.

I also think all the talk of going to jail and being banned for life etc. is way over the top, it'll be like Ponting back in the day giving the press conference with a black eye, he'll release a statement saying how sorry he is and how he's let people down etc. and we'll all move on with our lives.

[JTtaylor145]

I am in no way condoning what is alleged but the talk of banning him for life is a bit extreme (and I don't mean a Kookabuura Xtreme).

In a day and age when we see some athletes take drugs and cheat on more than one occasion and still are allowed back to the sport. Violence is not acceptable and both players could have been more sensible by not going out late in public.

But to give some context. Is Wayne Rooney going to be banned by Everton for drink driving? Is Maradona seen as less of a hero in Argentina because he was a drug taking and disgusting cheat (some bias there I appreciate)? There are even some question marks over our great Bobby Moore. Let's face it our cricketing hero's such as Botham and Hammond did some slightly suspect things during their lives.

The problem to a degree is society. We love to build someone up and almost take a perverse pleasure in knocking them down just as fast. These top class sports stars are people and they mess up, the have affairs, they occasional drink too much and they might occasionally cheat on their taxes. Is Messi going to be banned?

Of course Ben should be punished because that might make he modify his behavior in future. Maybe he should miss the winters tour, speak in public about what he did, attend some anger management course and change his life according. Then he should come back to the team and be a force for good.

How is banning him for life good for him, cricket, sport or for the paying public?

People make mistakes, select a suitable punishment, serve your time and come back. 

[FattusCattus]

JT - I actually find myself agreeing with your post.

apart from this bit "Of course Ben should be punished because that might make he modify his behavior in future"  - history would suggest that he's not that good at changing his behaviour.

But as you say - he's only human.

[JTtaylor145]

@FattusCattus you seem to be surprised that you are agreeing with me Brucie???

You are right, there is form with Ben but then form is temporary and aggression is for life?

You just hope this might be the incident that really changes him for good.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Don't take chances! If someone attacks you with a weapon. Put them in the hospital.

Oh, please!

[Bats_Entertainment]

Perhaps it's a northern thing?

Oh, double please.

[Bats_Entertainment]

What is it with pissed-up Rambo's wanting drunken violence? 

If I've had a skinfull, all I want to do is hug everyone (especially a pretty lady), eat something Turkish and go to sleep.

Have you tried ecstasy, Fattus?

[northernboy1987]

Oh, double please.

That was meant mildly tongue in cheek, untwist your knickers.

[FattusCattus]

Have you tried ecstasy, Fattus?

Every day spent in my own company is ecstasy!

[Neon Cricket]

Have to say I'm quite surprised by the reaction on here, would've thought more people would be condemning Stokes rather than jumping to defend him.

All part and parcel of a public forum though, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!

[GoodLeave]

Oh Ben...

I was hoping this was just a random lashing out. But this is a prolonged assault (Whether or not the guy deserved it). Should have thrown a punch and realised his error. I could have gotten behind that, but this video makes it look really bad.