Wouldn't wish quarantine on “worst enemy” Marlon Samuels, quips Ben Stokes

Stokes had to remain confined in hotel rooms of Auckland and Dubai in recent months.

Ben Stokes and Marlon Samuels | Getty

Highlighting the difficulties of quarantining, England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes recently quipped that he wouldn't wish the process on his "worst enemy" Marlon Samuels.

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Stokes had to remain confined in hotel rooms of Auckland and Dubai in recent months as part of the travelling protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He served 14-day isolation after arriving in New Zealand in August to be with his ailing father Ged, who is battling cancer.

Stokes was then forced to quarantine for six days upon reaching UAE to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

"You get off the plane, get your bag, walk out and get told what hotel to go to," he said on the TMS podcast. "There's no choice, it's pot luck whether you get a good hotel or not. The government have chosen certain hotels to be the quarantine hotels."

"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 have 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."

Stokes and Samuels’ rivalry goes back to 2015 when the duo indulged in a heated exchange during England's tour of West Indies. It all started in the second Test at St George's when Samuels amusingly saluted the English all-rounder after his dismissal.

During the all-important 2016 ICC World T20 final at Eden Gardens, Samuels was at the other end when Carlos Brathwaite smashed Stokes for 4 consecutive sixes to seal the deal for West Indies.

On that occasion, Samuels rejoiced the triumph in front of Stokes, who described the Jamaican as someone who "lacks respect" in his autobiography.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 27 Oct, 2020

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