England accused of rule breach over Stokes' retirement video
The ICC has accused the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of breaching the anti-corruption code following the release of Ben Stokes′ retirement speech, English media reports.
Stokes’ retirement announcement was revealed on the fourth day of the third Test between England and New Zealand last month, with the ECB filming and releasing his speech to teammates just before the tea break.
Ben Stokes tells his England teammates he is retiring. ECB
“There’s something I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is going to be (that) this is my last two days as your captain, and my last two days as representing England,” Stokes told his teammates in the video posted by the ECB.
“The only thing I want is just for everyone to give it, not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else that we’ve got going forward.”
The ICC said publishing the video of his dressing room speech mid-match breached the standards for players and match officials’ areas at international matches.
As per the rules, national federations must “ensure no fixed or temporary cameras are set up within the dressing rooms” for the purpose of broadcasting.
The ICC also reportedly pointed out that any footage obtained by the ECB in those areas must not carry any audio or be released before the end of the match.
In a letter sent to the ECB and obtained by the BBC on Saturday, the ICC recognised the footage of Stokes’ speech breached that code.
Neither the ICC nor ECB have made a public comment on the breach.
Stokes came into the attack to bowl one of his trademark spells shortly after the announcement of his retirement was made. He took a wicket with the first ball.
The 35-year-old all-rounder later went in to open the batting and smashed 30 off 20 balls, before he was sent packing.
England went on to lose by 160 runs.
