England’s Ben Stokes says learning not to try to “please everyone” helped him mature and regain the Test vice-captaincy ahead of the Ashes series starting this week.
The 28-year-old, fresh from playing a pivotal role in England’s thrilling World Cup victory earlier this month, has been appointed as Joe Root’s number two for the five-Test series against Australia.
The all-rounder was banned and fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board for bringing the game into disrepute following a street brawl in Bristol in 2017.
He missed five months of international cricket, including the last Ashes tour of Australia, before being cleared of affray in a court case in August 2018.
“One thing I have stopped trying to do is please everyone, which is probably a downfall I would look back on,” he told the BBC.
“I’m not a different person. I think maturing is the best way of saying it and having a understanding of a lot more things.”
Stokes, who has been described as the “real heartbeat” of the England team by Australia great Ricky Ponting, said now he focused solely on making those closest to him happy.
