"Ben Stokes Reflects on Regretful Slip of the Tongue While Describing England Legends"

BEN STOKES regrets a “horrible” slip of the tongue when describing cricket legends such as Ian Botham and Geoff Boycott as “has-beens”.

admits he got his words wrong responding to criticism of

Ben Stokes has apologised for referring to several England cricket legends as ‘has-beens’Credit: Getty Ian Botham was among those who questioned England’s approach to their dismal First Test Ashes defeatCredit: AFP

He said: “You know exactly what I meant by that. Everyone knows it was a slip of the tongue.

“I got the words I said completely wrong. I think everyone knows that — I just never got asked about it on camera for me to say I got my words wrong.

“Has-beens is a horrible word. It’s the only thing that managed to come out of my mouth at that moment.

“God, I’m going to be a former player one day. It’s completely the wrong wording and I think everyone does know it’s not at all what I meant.”

The likes of Botham, Boycott, Graham Gooch and Michael Vaughan — all former England captains — believed a three-day match against the Lions on a slow pitch was inadequate build-up to the on a bouncy surface in Perth.

to be careful with their aggressive ‘Bazball’ style against the canny Australians.

They were proved correct, too, as England slumped to a two-day, eight-wicket defeat.

Stokes used the phrase “has-beens” when trying to explain that congested modern schedules prevent lots of practice matches, unlike in the past.

The loss in Perth was all the more painful because England were in control of the game just hours before they collapsed.

After a week of reflection and relaxation — including some golf — England resumed training in Brisbane yesterday ahead of the Second Ashes Test on Thursday.

Batting coach Marcus Trescothick was due to speak to the media — but Stokes took it on himself in an attempt to re-set the tour.

He rejected claims from the likes of Botham and former Aussie speedster Mitchell Johnson that his team are arrogant.

But he admitted failings in his captaincy as Travis Head blitzed a 69-ball century and swept Australia to victory.

Stokes said: “I know there were areas in that fourth innings where I could have been a lot better as captain.

“I’m the person who makes decisions about how we operate and I’m the one who gives plans to the bowlers.

“On reflection, I wasn’t as clear as I ­normally am in those moments.

“That’s something I have thought about — what can I do better as a captain and leader? The key thing for me is to be crystal-clear with my bowlers.

“The next time we’re potentially in a situation like that, I’ll be in a better place to handle something that happens so quickly.”

We’re doing everything in our power to try to achieve our goal of winning The Ashes

Ben Stokes

Shortly after lunch on day two in Perth, England were 65-1 — 105 runs ahead — and apparently in complete command.

But Ollie Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root self-destructed in the space of six balls and England never recovered.

Stokes, who described himself as “shell-shocked” immediately after the game, added: “We had our foot on the throat of Australia.

“It’s a mentality thing, not a skill issue or quality issue because we’re all really good players. If you can send guys out with a really clear mind . . . not only about how we want to operate but where the game is at.

“We’re always looking to put the opposition under pressure but we need to understand when to absorb pressure. We’re very good at the first bit and know there are areas we can be better in the second bit. We don’t shrug it off and hope for the best.”

Stokes is praying England’s thousands of travelling fans do not lose faith.

He insisted: “It’s a results-based job. We love our fans and know we have an incredible fanbase who come to support us.

“They want to see us win, we want to win. We’re absolutely desperate. They’re absolutely desperate. We’re all on the same wavelength.

“We know there will be a lot of disappointed fans, but it’s a five-game series. We’re doing everything in our power to try to achieve our goal of winning The Ashes.”