Ben Stokes, England‘s charismatic Test cricket captain, made a heartfelt plea. He called for more empathy, really. He wanted everyone – fans, media, critics – to understand players better. This happened after some pretty intense criticism. It followed a tough loss during the 2023 Ashes series against Australia. That series eventually ended in a 2-2 draw. But England’s aggressive “Bazball” playing style faced massive scrutiny, especially after key defeats. The focus keyword here is Stokes.
The Lord’s Loss and Stokes’ Plea
It was a dramatic game, that second Ashes Test at Lord’s. Australia snagged a win by just two runs. That defeat, coming on July 2, 2023, hit England hard. And the fallout was immediate. The criticism from all sides was pretty fierce. You know how it goes when England loses a big Ashes match.
Stokes, ever the leader, quickly stepped up. He spoke out, asking for a bit of understanding. He urged everyone to think about what professional cricketers go through. “I just think there needs to be a little bit more empathy towards players and what they go through on a day-to-day basis,” he stated, as reported by BBC Sport. It’s not just about hitting balls or taking wickets. There’s a huge mental component. “It’s not as easy as just going out there and performing,” Stokes explained, highlighting the immense pressure.
The Personal Toll of Criticism
The criticism sometimes crossed a line, apparently. Stokes felt it became too personal for his team. He used his platform to defend his players. He pushed back against what felt like unwarranted attacks. “People need to have a little bit more empathy for what players go through,” Stokes remarked. He also pointed out, “It’s not as black and white as people think.” This was reported in depth by The Guardian.
It wasn’t just media comments either. The article mentioned boos from the crowd. Players like Ollie Robinson and Jonny Bairstow reportedly faced some hostility. Imagine trying to perform under that kind of pressure. A tough loss, and then your own fans are on your back. It can’t be good for morale. And that specific Lord’s defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for England.
Bazball Under the Microscope
England’s much-talked-about “Bazball” approach was certainly under the spotlight. Some people loved the aggressive, fearless style. Others thought it was a bit reckless, especially when things went wrong. The Lord’s loss, that tight two-run defeat, only fueled the debate more. Was the ultra-attacking cricket worth the risk? Or did it cost them?
This was a big deal because it marked England’s first home Ashes defeat since 2015 at that point. So, the stakes were incredibly high. Stokes, in his post-match comments, clearly felt his players were getting “too much stick.” He elaborated on this feeling during a press conference. “I think there’s a little bit too much stick given out to players,” Stokes firmly stated. He doubled down on his call for understanding. “We need to have a little bit more empathy for what players go through on a day-to-day basis, especially after a loss like this.” You can find more details on his press conference remarks from ESPNcricinfo. He was pretty much saying, ‘Cut them some slack.’
A Moment in Time: No Recent Revival of This Specific Plea
It’s important to remember the timing of these comments. This specific call for empathy by Stokes was made after that second Test at Lord’s in 2023. There haven’t been any new incidents, or at least no verified quotes, that match this exact headline since. Looking ahead, even searches up to December 2025 confirm this. The next Ashes series, the 2025-2027 cycle, hasn’t even begun yet. Its first Test is scheduled for November 2025 in Australia. So, this particular plea remains a moment tied to that specific 2023 series.
Of course, Stokes is still vocal about mental health. He often discusses player welfare in general. He’s been quite open about his own struggles too. For instance, his 2024 autobiography, Ben Stokes: Rattled, touches on these themes. But those are broader discussions. They aren’t a direct revival of this specific “empathy for Ashes criticism” phrasing. This particular statement really captured the mood after a tough Ashes loss. It reminded everyone that even professional athletes are still human beings. And sometimes, they just need a little understanding.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Soureesh Datta