Michael Vaughan has suggested an explosive fall-out with the ECB may have played a part in Ben Stokes' shock decision to retire from international cricket.
Stokes stunned his England team-mates by announcing his retirement during the fourth day of the series decider against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, delivering the news in an emotional dressing-room speech before play.
The 35-year-old has suggested that cricket has had a big impact on his personal life, and that it's now time for a fresh challenge after so many years in the spotlight.
But Vaughan, the former England captain, believes recent events point towards a possible breakdown in trust between Stokes and those running the game.
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Vaughan claimed the fallout from the nightclub incident that ruled Stokes out of the previous Test at The Oval may have contributed to his decision.
He also suggested that people had been "briefing" against Stokes in the aftermath of that episode and said the all-rounder would likely know who was responsible.
"I just think about the last two weeks," Vaughan said.
"When you're England captain, you've got to trust those that you're working with. You have to trust everyone around: the management, the ECB.
Michael Vaughan has suggested an explosive fall-out with the ECB may have played a part in Ben Stokes' shock decision to retire from international cricket
|GETTY
"I honestly think there's been a lack of trust, and that triggers you.
"I'm not saying it's going to be the only reason why Ben Stokes has stepped down, but all these things: the winter was a tough winter, there were incidents on and off the field.
"Obviously [in] the build-up to that first Test at Lord's, he didn't look quite right at Lord's. He wasn't quite the Ben Stokes from a few years ago.
"And then obviously the incident happens, and he's clearly had a fall-out with the ECB across the last week or so, and that's a little bit of the trust that he's probably lost in them."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Ben Stokes stunned the world with his decision to quit Test cricket on Sunday
|GETTY
Vaughan, who shares the same management company as Stokes, made clear that he did not believe one single issue had forced the decision.
But he argued that any England captain needs complete faith in the people around him, and suggested that trust may have been damaged.
Stokes had only recently returned from the incident and had performed strongly with the ball, taking four wickets in the first innings and sending down a demanding spell.
That made the timing of his announcement even more surprising.
Vaughan believes the decision may also reflect emotional fatigue after years of carrying the responsibility of leading England.
"Fundamentally, it sounds like he's just woken up and he's going, 'Nah, the fight's gone, and the fire's not quite burning anymore,'" Vaughan said.
"I'll be interested to really hear what he has to say about why - why at this stage, when obviously he's come back from the incident, he's played pretty well this week, particularly with the ball this week: four-for in the first innings, bowled a mammoth spell, looked OK with the bat.
"But I just think that fire, and that fire only burns inside you when you've got a group around you that you are absolutely trustworthy (sic) of and something's happened.
Ben Stokes will go down as a England cricket legend
|GETTY
"We can't hide behind that fact. I just hope that's not one of the main reasons why he's had to step down."
Meanwhile, elaborating on his decision, Stoke provided greater insight into his call to step away.
"There are all sorts of emotions when this day comes to everyone. There's relief, there's happiness, there's excitement, there's sadness. All of those words, they sum it up pretty well, he said.
"It's the best thing that I've ever been asked to do - captain this team and captain this country - and I'll never begrudge any moment where I've walked this team out. It's simply the greatest honour you could ever put on your shoulders as a player.
"But there's another side to it all which people don't see, and people don't understand.
"My family, and particularly my wife, can see what you go through emotionally. As good as it is, there are bits where it does get to you, it does drain you, it does affect you in a negative way.
"But, overall, it's literally been four and a half years where I've loved every single moment. But sometimes, some moments have been harder than others."