Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes puts Ashes place in doubt after being arrested in Bristol
BEN Stokes appears in serious danger of missing the Ashes, as the England star awaits X-rays on a possible broken hand as well as the outcome of a police investigation.
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BEN Stokes appears in serious danger of missing the entire Ashes series, as the disgraced England vice-captain awaits X-rays on a possible broken hand as well as the outcome of a police investigation.
At this stage Stokes has been drafted into England’s Ashes squad to be named at 7pm on Wednesday night (EST), however that could all change if scans show a fracture in his right hand or authorities charge him with causing actual bodily harm in a nightclub brawl in Bristol that left another man hospitalised with facial injuries.
The Sun newspaper is reporting Stokes fears he has broken his hand in the fight and could miss up to 12 weeks if those results are confirmed.
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As it stands England seem almost certain to axe Stokes as vice-captain but he could also be dumped from the touring party altogether if police pleas for public assistance result in serious assault charges being laid and force him to face court.
The ugly incident has already left England’s Ashes preparations in turmoil, but if they were to lose the game’s premier all-rounder and their No.1 match-winner altogether it would prove an almost fatal blow to their hopes of winning in Australia.
Stokes is one of the best out-and-out cricketers in the world.
The Sun reported that Stokes has already been sent for scans, and the ECB hierarchy of director of cricket Andrew Strauss and head coach Trevor Bayliss were discussing whether the 26-year-old should be immediately removed as Joe Root’s deputy.
Fellow England star Alex Hales is embroiled in the scandal and Strauss will investigate whether other squad members were also breaking team rules with their behavior in the small hours after an ODI against West Indies in Bristol.
Both Stokes and Hales have also both been stood down from England’s remaining two one-dayers against the Windies.
The Avon and Somerset police released an official statement, saying: “We were called to a disorder in Queens Road, Clifton, at around 2:35am (11.35am EST) on Monday.
“A 27-year-old man was found to have suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment.
“A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has since been released under investigation.”
Hales returned to Bristol to assist police with their inquiries.
England Cricket Board chief Andrew Strauss rushed to The Oval on Tuesday amid the developing crisis and released a statement.
“Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be available for tomorrow’s One-Day International match against West Indies at The Oval,” read the statement.
“Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol.
“He was held overnight and released under investigation — without charge — late on Monday and will not join the team in London.
“Hales, who was with Stokes on Sunday night, did not train this morning and has returned voluntarily to Bristol today to help Police with their inquiries.”
Strauss added both Stokes and Hales, who played the last of his 13 Tests 11 months ago, will be considered for the five-match Ashes series on cricketing grounds alone.
“The selectors have been instructed to select the Ashes squad based on form and fitness,” Strauss said.
England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan admitted: “It is a big blow. Certainly losing a guy like Ben Stokes is a big one.”
Stokes was named Root’s vice-captain earlier this year, with the ECB overlooking his track record for disciplinary trouble on and off the field based on his standing as one of the most influential matchwinners in world cricket.
- 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.
Originally published as Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes puts Ashes place in doubt after being arrested in Bristol
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