Ben Stokes apologises to England teammates: backlash against Joe Root ‘hurt me’

England cricket captain Ben Stokes has publicly apologised to his teammates for the first time following his disciplinary exclusion from the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. Stokes, 35, and Gus Atkinson were stood down after breaching the team's curfew following the first Test victory at Lord's, a decision that led to England's 253-run defeat. Stokes said he was personally hurt by the backlash directed at stand-in captain Joe Root, describing their close relationship, and the incident sparked two weeks of controversy including suggestions of a rift with team management and talk of retirement.