ECB withdraw Ben Stokes and Hales from international matches ‘until further notice’
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Ben Stokes of England waits to bat during a nets session at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The ECB have announced both Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be considered for any England team ‘until further notice’ on a day the controversy surrounding a Bristol nightclub incident escalated.
Reports by The Sun showing video footage they allege to be Stokes, who was arrested but later released without charge by Avon & Somerset in the early hours of Monday morning, show an individual aiming punches at a member of the public who falls to the floor outside the Mbargo nightclub.
The England Test vice-captain was “arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm” and will now not feature for the remainder of the West Indies ODI series until the ECB has conducted its own internal investigation separate to the Police’s ongoing enquiries.
It remains undetermined whether Stokes could miss the Ashes tour after being named in the 16-man squad on Wednesday.
An ECB statement confirmed of Stokes and Hales’ status: “Each remains on full pay pending further ECB investigation and the ongoing police investigation into an incident in Bristol in the early hours of Monday 25 September.”
“Andrew Strauss, director of England Cricket, will today refer the internal disciplinary procedure for these two players to the Cricket Discipline Commission, chaired by Tim O’Gorman.
“These decisions, fully supported by ECB chairman Colin Graves, were made following the release of footage viewed by ECB for the first time on Wednesday.”
Dawid Malan has been called up to provide cover for the last ODI of the series at the Ageas Bowl after Alex Hales voluntarily travelled back to Bristol to assist Police with their investigation.