Mumbai: A couple of New Zealand radio hosts faced suspension for bringing in Ben Stokes’ mother on-air without her knowledge after England’s four-wicket loss to West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 final on Sunday.
Jeremy Wells and Matt Heath – the radio hosts – were analysing the last over of the match (when Carlos Brathwaite hit Stokes for four consecutive sixes to turn the tide).
Ben’s mother, Deborah, called up the station to complain about her son being defamed and unnecessarily slandered.
Mrs Stokes resides in New Zealand and coincidentally, even Ben was born and raised there.
She accused the station of having fun at his expense where many star cricketers backed the young all-rounder.
Heath hoodwinked her saying he was writing down her complaint to alert the station head and the hosts. But they kept misleading her; assuring the conversation was off-air.
The fact that Ben has family all over New Zealand infuriated Mrs Stokes.
After listening to the broadcast, Mrs Stokes called back the station when a spokesperson heard her grievances and said that the hosts would be suspended for their action.
