INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Much has been said about the seemingly sulky demeanor of Stokes and some teammates recently. ©Getty
Poor England believes they are the heroes in this narrative. They consider themselves the guardians of cricket’s spirit, often casting themselves as victims of rival teams’ supposed rule-bending, particularly against Australia and India, who they feel seek to halt their progress in transforming Test cricket.
Without Ben Stokes, England now heads into the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at The Oval with worldwide opposition. This is the storyline they embrace: pitting themselves against those who resist their vision for a transformed cricket future, positioning themselves as the moral champions of Test cricket.
This dramatic portrayal likely stems from the English squad’s overreactions, especially evident during events like the stumping of Jonny Bairstow by Alex Carey at Lord’s in 2023, and their persistent bowling after an offer for a drawn result was declined by the opposing team.
Recent reactions have highlighted their perceived victimhood, with players like Harry Brook showing expressions that suggest they feel unfairly penalized for trying to maintain their “nice guy” image, which their coach Brendon McCullum has asked them to abandon for a more confrontational stance.
Their self-perception as the ultimate heroes, complete with grand narratives about their invincibility, has given them a reputation similar to that which they accuse India of having — being overly dramatic victims of their circumstances. This paradox is why many may support Shubman Gill’s younger team as they seek to draw the series in London.
Criticism from Australia following England’s conduct at Old Trafford reflects the shift in sentiment. Ironically, just as admiration for their resilient performance against India was growing, England reminded the world why they have struggled to endear themselves to global fans, maintaining their self-assured narrative as ‘the good guys.’
© Cricbuzz
