Defiant England captain Ben Stokes doubles down on scootergate despite public backlash
England captain Ben Stokes has hit back after he and teammates were reprimanded for riding e-scooters without helmets – while trashing ‘miserable’ England.
A defiant England cricket captain Ben Stokes has declared fun is a priority for the touring Ashes squad - despite the controversy over them being busted riding e-scooters in Brisbane without wearing helmets.
Stokes, Mark Wood and Jamie Smith were photographed breaking the road rule at South Bank this week, creating headlines back home in the UK and in Australia - particularly in Brisbane where e-scooter and e-bike safety is part of a parliamentary inquiry following a spate of road deaths this year.
The Courier-Mail on Wednesday called them “Pommy Idiots” on the front page, with a story including damning comments from local medics about the dangers of riding e-scooters without helmets.
Twelve people have died in Queensland in the past year on e-mobility devices, and there is a parliamentary inquiry into them as a result.
Queensland Police confirmed they would not issue the England players with retrospective fines for breaking the law, despite the condemnation from leading health professionals who warned helmets were crucial for safety.
The controversy was sparked by paparazzi photos of the England players taken in South Brisbane as the Test stars find their every move is being somewhat followed in Australia.
England players including Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Stokes were followed around a Perth golf course by a drone, before reports surfaced of their plan to escape to Queensland paradise, Noosa after the Gabba Test.
A defiant Stokes said his team won’t be forced indoors by the relentless microscope his team is being put under in Australia, emphasising the importance of players being allowed to “free your mind” and “enjoy yourself.”
“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,” Stokes told the BBC.
“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.”
England has a strict no-whine policy under coach Brendon McCullum and positive mindset rules.
They have been unapologetic about their decision to skip a practice pink ball game under lights in Canberra, preferring to prepare for the Gabba Test at the Gabba nets instead.
England say they were prepared for the media onslaught.
“Before we got out here those conversations happened as a group,” Stokes said.
“It is not unexpected.
“We felt it when we got here. There were cameras in front of the hotel from 8am, following us on the golf course and even when we went out for some lunch.
“I’ve been at the very, very bad end of the media. I get it.
“No one is doing anything wrong with what’s been filmed or photographed. It’s making sure lads are getting that enjoyment element of touring such a great country like Australia.”
Fellow England player Ollie Pope said locking the hotel doors would be “unhealthy” and England were embracing the conditions – on and off the field.
Stokes said he didn’t feel the media scrutiny he was facing was crossing a line.
“A bit of both. My sponsors will be happy because I seem to be in the press every four days,” he said.
“It will probably continue throughout the rest of the tour. I don’t see anything wrong with going out and spending your time off on a golf course or having coffee or lunch, riding on a scooter.
“It’s fine. If they want to keep doing it, they are all polite and don’t intrude on our personal space. We have a job to do, they have a job to do.”
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