Ben Stokes vs Ian Botham: Comparing the England all-rounder legends' stats after latest 'has-been vs never-been' feud
Ben Stokes vs Ian Botham: Comparing the England all-rounder legends’ stats after latest ‘has-been vs never-been’ feud originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ian Botham playfully inducted Ben Stokes into the “has-beens club” after the England captain retired from international cricket.
- Stokes responded with “it’s better to be a has-been than a never-been”.
- Botham and Stokes are considered among the best all-rounders England has seen.
- The Cricket News compares Botham and Stokes in terms of their international careers.
Ben Stokes and Ian Botham’s ‘has-been’ exchange explained
Ben Stokes and Ian Botham have revived one of cricket’s most interesting rivalries between England’s all-rounders after a light-hearted yet sarcastic banter over the “has-beens” term.
Last November, England took preparation for Ashes under the captaincy of Stokes by playing an intra-squad game in Perth at a club ground. Many former players believed that England should have been preparing against Australia at larger venues.
Stokes responded to the criticism and stated that, “There’s quite a few factors that play into the whole of why we can’t prepare how the has-beens maybe prepared in the past.”
Stokes later apologised, saying that he misspoke, but his response ignited a storm with many former players annoyed with him.
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Why did Ian Botham call Ben Stokes a ‘has-been’?
Botham appeared on BBC’s Test Match Special during the first ODI between England and India that was played in support of the Bob Willis Trust.
In the interview, Botham said, “As we know Michael Vaughan and I… We don’t know what we’re talking about. Couple of old has-beens.”
“Ben, if you’re listening, congratulations you’ve joined the club. You’re now a has-been.”
“As we know Michael Vaughan & I. We don’t know what we’re talking about. Couple of old has -beens.
Ben, if you’re listening congratulations you’ve joined the club. You’re now a has-been”
Hear Sir Ian Botham getting his revenge on Ben Stokes in the TMS PODCAST!#bbccricketpic.twitter.com/Qqvi43K004
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 15, 2026
This statement was made by Botham in reference to Stokes retiring from international cricket but as we know, there had been a wider discussion before that.
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What was Ben Stokes’ response?
Stokes posted on X and referenced Botham in the following way:
“The quote ‘It’s better to be a has-been than a never-been’ originates from Lord Ian Botham.”
The quote “It’s better to be a has-been than a never-been” originates from Lord Ian Botham. https://t.co/VbaWNg75Sv
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 15, 2026
This post seems to refer to the joke made by Botham and at the same time emphasises the mutual respect that exists between two cricketers whose careers are often compared.
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Ben Stokes vs Ian Botham: England career stats comparison
| Category | Ian Botham | Ben Stokes |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 102 | 122 |
| Test runs | 5,200 | 7,273 |
| Test centuries | 14 | 14 |
| Test wickets | 383 | 252 |
| Test five-wicket hauls | 27 | 6 |
| ODIs | 116 | 114 |
| ODI runs | 2,113 | 3,463 |
| ODI wickets | 145 | 74 |
Stats:ESPNcricinfo
Stokes vs Botham: Who ‘has-been’ the better England all-round career?
Botham’s stats are still something to be admired, with 383 Test wickets and 14 centuries, while he is remembered for his incredible Ashes performance in 1981, which made him an icon of English cricket.
Although Stokes doesn’t come close to Botham’s numbers, his career has been all about some amazing moments, starting from his Ashes century in 2019 to the World Cup final and the Bazball era of English cricket.
The comparison doesn’t focus solely on numbers, because Botham revolutionized the image of all-rounders in English cricket, while Stokes became a leader who delivers under pressure.
Who is the better ‘has-been’ — Ben Stokes or Ian Botham? For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
