The Stokes-Samuels story: How past run-ins turned a friendly banter into an ugly spat

So, we have another chapter added to the Stokes- Samuels story. And certainly, it is not looking pretty. Ben Stokes smashed a blistering hundred against Mumbai Indians just three days back. And, while he has been showered with praises for his ravishing knock, his old adversary Marlon Samuels’ comment has overshadowed all this and brought the Stokes- Samuels saga back into the limelight.

The Stokes- Samuels Saga

Ben Stokes recently commented about his quarantine experience, and quipped that even his ‘worst enemy’, Marlon Samuels shouldn’t suffer the same fate. This is exactly what Stokes had to say.

“I posted a few Instagram stories and some of the England boys were messaging me asking what it’s like and I was saying it wasn’t the most enjoyable thing you ever had to do, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I text my brother saying the same thing, and my brother asked: ‘You wouldn’t even do that to Marlon Samuels?’ I said ‘no, it’s that bad’- that’s how tough it was.”

Yes, this banter might have irked Samuels, but it surely did not deserve the derogatory response that it got from the West Indian. Samuels dragged Stokes’ wife into the matter and even brought ‘color’ into the picture. This is what Samuels posted in response.

“No white boy could diss me in the sports and no get back diss look at this b**ch still thinking about me give me 14 days with your wife turn har into Jamaican in 14 seconds mate none of  yall knows me that simple means its my  f***ing superior skin tone.”

Woah! That sounds really nasty.

It looks as if Samuels wanted to let out all his frustrations in the post.

What is the need to drag someone’s wife into the matter?

The rough history between Samuels and Stokes

The cricketing world is aware of the rough history between the two men, and it dates back to a Test match in April 2015, when the first chapter between the two unfolded. The two men had been at each other’s throats through the course of the match, but Marlon Samuels took it a notch higher after Stokes was dismissed for 8 in the first innings.

The West Indian offered a salute as a ‘send-off’ after the English all rounder was dismissed. Stokes and the England players had been very vocal on Samuels when he was batting, and he was not the one to back off. The second chapter in the Stokes- Samuels rivalry unfolded on the night of the 2016 World T20 final. While the match itself was dramatic with several twists in the plot, the Samuels- Stokes story had yet another chapter added to it.

Chasing a target of 156 for victory, the West Indian side was reduced to 11/3, and in doldrums. Marlon Samuels was out there in the middle, fighting it out for his side. West Indian skipper Darren Sammy alleged that Stokes had irked Samuels. The winning captain had the following to say.

“Marlon told us something, and maybe(Joe) Root could confirm that when Marlon came in at 11-3,(Stokes) came to bowl and he said something like ‘you guys, I would like to see you come out of this one’ and Marlon was just taking his time, making sure. That comment whatever(Stokes) said to him as he walked in, that got him really focused.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Samuels smashed a match winning 85* to inspire the Caribbean outfit to their second World T20 title.

Samuels also took a dig at Shane Warne in his post

Samuels also took a dig at spin wizard Shane Warne in his post. This is what Samuels’ post read.

“Icc cricketing world ben b**ch stokes Shane b**ch warn and a few b**ch west Indians cricketers who sell out se*tillion7thpower Ps nothing to f**k with my army bigger and we richer.”

Warne and Samuels were involved in an ugly altercation on the field during the Big Bash league in the year 2013. When Warne’s side was batting, Samuels had blocked David Hussey’s path and literally prevented him from going for the second run. This did not go down well with skipper Warne. When Samuels was batting in the second innings, Warne went up to him, grabbed his shirt and hurled ugly expletives at him, which was caught on camera.

Things turned even uglier in the next over, when Warne hurled the ball at Samuels. The West Indian lost his cool and threw his bat in anger. It was not a pretty sight on a cricket field.

Did past run-ins turn a banter into an ugly spat?

Ben Stokes’ comment on Samuels surely did not deserve the harsh and derogatory response that it got from the West Indian. But then, Samuels has been unable to let go of his past baggage and has definitely crossed the line. He has turned a banter into an ugly spat, and has made it personal.

But most importantly, not only has Samuels brought disrepute to himself, he has brought disrepute to a sport that is fondly called the ‘Gentleman’s Game’.