England star Ben Stokes may have been cleared of affray, but former cricket luminaries, while agreeing his behaviour was well below that expected of a man seen by many as a role model, are divided as to whether he should face further punishment.
The 27-year-old New Zealand-born all-rounder faces an internal disciplinary enquiry by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) following his acquittal by unanimous decision of a jury on Tuesday.
Former Derbyshire batsman and qualified solicitor Tim O'Gorman is heading the investigation.
Stokes's team-mate Alex Hales — who was with him during the late night brawl outside a club in Bristol last September but was not charged — will also face enquiry.
However, former England captains Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain whilst both abhorring his behaviour are at odds with each other as to whether he should be punished further.
"With a not-guilty verdict, the way forward seems, to me, to be clear enough and should not involve further punishment," Atherton writes in The Times.
Atherton, who captained England in 54 of his 115 Test matches, conceded Stokes's heavy drinking that night and what ensued afterwards "is not exactly acceptable behaviour for an England player during international duty".
"There are clauses in an England cricketer's contract — such as bringing the game into disrepute — that could yet result in punishment," the 50-year-old commented.
"Although Stokes was never formally suspended from the England team, his non-selection for the Ashes came about clearly as a result of the events in Bristol.
"He missed the most high-profile series in which an England cricketer can play, essentially a six-month ban." Hussain, who has been capped 96 times and has captained England 45 times till 2003, argued differently, saying the images caught on CCTV cannot just be ignored and the governing body — the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have to act.
"Some people would argue that Ben Stokes has had it tough, and has served his time in missing the Ashes, but I see it differently," he told The Daily Mail.
"The ECB should not now take the easy option.
"It is far too serious an issue, and the footage far too serious, for people to think about moving on and brushing things under the carpet."
‘tough selection’
With Ben Stokes back and his replacement at lord's, Chris Woakes, grabbing the opportunity with a maiden hundred, England could face a selection dilemma ahead of the third Test against India, feels wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
"It will be a tough selection for the third Test at Trent Bridge. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have won the Man of the Match awards in the first two Tests and, with Ben Stokes coming back into the squad, it will be a difficult decision for the coach and captain," Buttler wrote in Sky Sports.
‘Stokes could be played…’
Former captain Nasser Hussain says Ben Stokes could be picked for England's third Test against India but encouraged the all-rounder to "have a hard look at himself" after his affray trial concluded.
"As far as selection goes, Ben is one of the best XI cricketers in the country and has been found innocent in a court of law, although, obviously, (coach) Trevor Bayliss and (captain) Joe Root have to look at Ben mentally," Hussain told Sky Sports News.
"I am amazed how well he has coped mentally over the last few months with this hanging over him and as long as they feel he is mentally fit for selection then they should pick him.
"Ben is a pretty simple guy — he is most comfortable, most happy playing cricket for England. He loves it. It's all he wants to do, to be honest. If he says he is available to play then Joe, who knows him well, will want him back.
"Importantly, I think Stokes needs to have a long, hard look at himself — it's a couple of times now he has been in the press for the wrong reasons."
The temperamental all-rounder played a key role in England's 31-run win over India in the series opener at Birmingham.