Ben Stokes’ pre-Ashes night out with Dale Thomas

In a crossover episode for the ages, it’s emerged Ben Stokes had a boozy, secret nightclub romp with an AFL great.

Ben Stokes’ English team are 2-0 down in the Ashes, and now fans might have a reason as to why.

Former Collingwood and Carlton star Dale Thomas has revealed that he had a night out with Stokes on the eve of the Ashes.

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“I went out on the gas on the Saturday night with Ben Stokes, Paul Collingwood and the big left hand opener, Graeme Smith, from South Africa,” Thomas told Triple M.

“We had a vodka. Four days before the Ashes and Ben walks us into a nightclub — he, I and a couple of others in the back booth and he’s dancing around with bottles of vodka and having a good time.”

It comes as the English languish 2-0 down in the series, and head to Headingley in tense scenes that have forced organisers to take extra action to protect the Australians after controversy in the first two Tests.

Stokes is known for enjoying a night out, but this is a bit close to a big series, no? (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Thomas retired in 2019 after a distinguished AFL career. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Aussie TV commentators Mark Taylor and Mel Jones will have security staff with them when the Third Test begins on Thursday night (AEST), and the Aussie team has called in extra security for the touring party’s families.

The Australian’s Peter Lalor reported the team had requested the extra measures after the abusive fans at Lord’s left one staff member’s 11-year-old son in tears, while Steve Smith’s mother was forced to leave the ground early.

While they didn’t know she was Smith’s mother, the taunting fans turned on her when they realised she was Australian.

The 11-year-old was similarly taunted by fans at Lord’s and was seen later surrounded by members of the team on the balcony.

Originally published as Ben Stokes’ pre-Ashes night out with Dale Thomas