Lord Ian Botham reignites his feud with Ben Stokes, the recently retired England captain, as both have exchanged barbs in the media following England's disappointing 4-1 series defeat in the Ashes last winter.

Botham criticized the team's lack of preparation before the series, leading to Stokes labeling him and Michael Vaughan as "has-beens." The fallout has continued, with Botham remarking on Stokes's resignation as captain during a Test match against New Zealand, stating, "No, I didn't and I stand by what I said."

The criticism stems from England's inadequate preparation, where they managed only two and a half days of cricket before facing Australia in Perth. Botham emphasized the need for proper practice, particularly for slip fielders, questioning the team's readiness.

In response, Stokes defended the preparation process, stating, "We've put a lot of thought and process into this for a few years now," dismissing Botham's and Vaughan's comments as outdated.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival to promote his new book, Seasons, Botham expressed his disappointment in Stokes, asserting, "He's a bloody good cricketer... but he let himself down in those final couple of months." He criticized the team's behavior during the tour, particularly regarding curfews that were allegedly broken.

Reflecting on his own experiences during the 1986-87 Ashes, Botham noted that while players indulged in socializing, it was justified by their success, contrasting it with the current team's situation. He concluded with a provocative line from his book:

Well, well, well, Ben Stokes, you are now a member of the has-been team.