Ben Stokes has reiterated that there are no hard feelings between him and Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada.
A feisty encounter occurred between the two in the first Test at Lord’s when Rabada captured the wicket of the England all-rounder. The 21-year-old speedster’s aggressive celebration in England’s first innings earned him a demerit point for swearing after the dismissal of Stokes.
Rabada was subsequently suspended for the next game, as he had collected three demerits for a previous transgression. He had his revenge for the latest demerit in the second innings, dismissing the 26-year-old again in the same match.
According to Sports 24, Stokes has dismissed any suggestion that there is animosity between them.
‘I have no bad blood with him, or any grudges – if anything it just shows he cares about how he performs,’ said Stokes ahead of the third Test at The Oval.
‘Unfortunately with stump mics – if you are going to say something loudly – it can’t be a swear word, as I know personally.
‘I would be very surprised if he calms anything down.
‘That is what makes him the bowler he is – it is part of his repertoire, quick and aggressive.’
Stokes also has demerit points to his name, issued by the ICC.
‘It is part of the game, you just need to be careful with what you say and where you say it,’ Stokes explained.
The all-rounder was also vocal about England’s failure to adapt, and disagreed with the criticism the side have received regarding their appetite to put up a fight.
