Former England captain Nasser Hussain is hopeful that Ben Stokes doesn’t decide to make an emotional decision of retiring after the nightclub incident. Stokes, along with Gus Atkinson, have been dropped from the second Test match against New Zealand after the controversy.

Joe Root is all set to lead England in the second Test against the Kiwis in the absence of Stokes. 

“Ben Stokes has been there for England a lot,” Hussain told the Sky Sports Cricket podcast. “He’s been there as a captain, he’s been there as a player at their finest moments – 50 over World Cups, T20 World Cups.

“He’s been a warrior for England and he got it wrong this time – he got it horribly wrong. I don’t think that is a sackable offence. Ben will be in a dark place at the moment. I just hope Ben doesn’t think ‘I’ve let so many people down that I’m going to retire. I’m going to make an emotional decision and retire’, because I think that would be a really sad way [to end] for one of England’s greats,” he added.

Hussain added it would be sad if this was Stokes’ last Test appearance for England and he deserves to go in a better way. 

As per ESPN Cricinfo, the England Test skipper is expected to meet his entourage on Wednesday and could discuss the matter as it stands. ECB is very likely to impose harsh sanctions on the player.

Meanwhile, ECB are yet to announce what steps will be taken against Stokes for breaking the night curfew and getting involved in an altercation at the nightclub. 

England are currently leading the Test series against New Zealand by 1-0. The second Test starts from June 17.