The Ashes 2017: Kevin Pietersen laments England’s ‘scare’ after star all-rounder Ben Stokes arrested

KEVIN Pietersen says losing Ben Stokes for the Ashes could be the death knell on their chances. The Poms are certainly in damage control after the star’s arrest.

Ben Stokes has ‘cast a massive shadow over the England team’.

ENGLAND shouldn’t bother coming to Australia for the Ashes if controversial all-rounder Ben Stokes is rubbed out, according to Kevin Pietersen.

Stokes has been dropped for this week’s ODI against West Indies after being arrested outside a nightclub in Bristol for allegedly being involved in a brawl.

But the vice-captain is likely to keep his spot for this summer’s Test series after England’s cricket director Andrew Strauss insisted the squad will be named “based on form and fitness” on Wednesday night (EST).

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Ben Stokes has ‘cast a massive shadow over the England team’.

It would be a massive blow to their Ashes chances should England choose to impose a lengthy suspension on Stokes, who was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm.

He hit a swashbuckling century during his debut Test series in Australia and has taken 26 Ashes wickets at 33.07 with his medium pace.

Pietersen was forthright in his appraisal of the situation.

OH NO!
Major Ashes scare!
If Stokes doesn't go to Aus, then England should just stay at home! https://t.co/chG7zrxhjo

— KP (@KP24) September 26, 2017

Former England captain Michael Vaughan backed Stokes to travel to Australia and keep the vice-captaincy.

But Vaughan criticised him for threatening the team’s preparation for the five-Test series, starting in Brisbane on November 23.

“The facts are the England vice-captain was out at 2.30am, drinking two days before an England game and he has hit someone,” Vaughan wrote in the UK Telegraph.

“What this has done is cast a massive shadow over the England team at the worst time ... he could be charged.

“In Australia, he will be goaded from the moment he arrives.”

Ben Stokes’ match-winning capabilities would be sorely missed in Australia.

Retired Australian batsman Michael Slater agreed a suspension for Stokes would be a huge blow.

“I certainly hope he’s playing for England because I think he’ll play well out here,” Slater told Sky Sports Radio.

“I’d like to see him do a job for England just because it’ll be competitive.

“He’s a proper all-rounder. He means a lot to England.”

The England Cricket Board said Stokes was detained early on Monday but was released without charge in the evening.

Alex Hales, who was with Stokes at the time of his arrest, returned to Bristol in southwest England on Tuesday to help police with the investigation.

Stokes timeline

2011

Spent a night in jail for obstructing a police officer after a night out.

2013

Sent home from an English Lions tour of Australia after going out all night drinking.

2014

Broke his hand at the World T20 after he punched a dressing-room locker.

2015

Receives a verbal warning after staying out after hours during the tour of South Africa. He had only arrived 24 hours earlier.

2017

Arrested on suspicion of assault after a night out in Bristol.