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

Ben Stokes has finally addressed his exclusion from the second Test against New Zealand, expressing regret and apologizing to his teammates after breaking the team’s curfew. He revealed he felt personally hurt seeing Joe Root, who stood in as captain during his absence, criticized. This incident underscores the personal and professional strains that arise when team rules are breached, highlighting the importance of discipline within the squad. Stokes' apology reflects a deeper understanding of the team dynamics and the impact of such breaches on teammates.