Cricket news round-up – September 18: Ben Stokes lambasts The Sun for ‘immoral’ journalism

Cricket news round-up – September 18: Ben Stokes lambasts The Sun for ‘immoral’ journalism

Ben Stokes England Australia 2019 Ashes Headingley

Ben Stokes has rubbished The Sun after the publication posted traumatic incidents from his mother’s past, and said he couldn’t think of anything more “immoral, heartless or contemptuous”. Elsewhere, Ireland are top of the table in the Tri-Series, and Carlos Brathwaite stars in a Super Over win for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Stokes slams The Sun for ‘immoral’ journalism

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has torn apart The Sun in a statement published on both Twitter and Facebook, after the newspaper published a deeply personal, traumatic story from Stokes’ parents’ past.

The Sun splashed the news on their front page, and Stokes said, while he himself was prepared for the pitfalls of being a public figure, that shouldn’t be extended to his family. “The decision to publish these details has grave and lifelong consequences for my mum in particular,” Stokes said. “To use my name as an excuse to shatter the privacy and private lives of – in particular – my parents is utterly disgusting.

“It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism. I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family.”

Ireland see off Scotland to go top of the table

Ireland held off Scotland for a 4-wicket win to go atop the table in the T20I Tri-Nation series, also involving the Netherlands.

Scotland posted 193/7, thanks to Callum Macleod’s 42-ball 72, which helped nullify the effects Boyd Rankin’s 3/29.

In their turn, Ireland were powered by half-centuries from Gareth Delany and Andy Balbirnie, and despite a lower order collapse, their association had laid a solid foundation, which saw Ireland through.

St Kitts seal Super Over win over defending champs

There was an upset in CPL 2019 after St Kitts and Nevis Patriots sealed a Super Over win against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders.

After 40 overs, the scores were tied at 216 for both sides. Lendl Simmons’ 45-ball 90 had helped Trinbago set a 217-run target, but St Kitts rallied, with captain Carlos Brathwaite scoring a 30-ball 64, after Evin Lewis had posted a 21-ball 45.

There was a disagreement between Brathwaite and St Kitts coach Robin Singh over who should bowl the Super Over. Brathwaite, being captain, took it upon himself, even as Singh pushed the case of Alzarri Joseph.

As it turned down, Brathwaite got the job done, defending 19.

‘Learnt from what we’ve been through’ – Sean Williams

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams has said after a chaotic two months, Zimbabwe are seeking a return to normalcy with a victory in the tri-series T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Tensions have been high in the squad ever since ICC suspended Zimbabwe cricket – it cost the team the chance to fight for a spot in the T20 World Cup in the qualifiers next month, but after a difficult time, Williams said the team is starting to bond again.

“We’ve learnt a lot from what we’ve been through. You can see the team starting to bond more and more, and come together more as a unit.

“Leading up to the Singapore series, with some younger guys coming to join the squad and a couple of senior guys going across to Singapore, it’s going to be exciting. I really look forward to having those junior guys coming through the ranks.”