Ben Stokes’ victim a former soldier: Report

LONDON: The man allegedly punched by England vice-captain Ben Stokes is a former British Army soldier who served in Afghanistan, the Daily Telegraph revealed.

Stokes is being investigated over accusations of causing actual bodily harm following an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol on Monday.

The 26-year-old, who was suspended by England along with team-mate Alex Hales on Thurssay, a day after video footage of the incident was published by the Sun, is accused of punching Ryan Hale, also 26.

Stokes’ place on the tour of Australia hangs in balance and his absence would deal a blow to the tourists’ hopes of retaining the Ashes.

Hale’s mother, with whom he lives, told the Daily Telegraph her son is not an ‘aggressive type’ adding that the former soldier “is not OK and it is not something that happens on a daily basis”.

The ramifications for Stokes’ fellow players and their social activities have seen Test captain Joe Root and Stuart Broad cancel going on the Amsterdam stag party of one-day team wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.