Ben Stokes included in England’s Ashes squad despite broken hand

Ben Stokes was included in England's 16-man squad for the Ashes tour of Australia announced on Wednesday despite breaking his hand in the incident that led to his recent arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

Durham all-rounder Stokes was dropped for Wednesday's fourth one-day international against West Indies at The Oval -- the venue for the Ashes squad announcement -- after being arrested early on Monday in Bristol. That followed England's win in the third ODI in the southwest city on Sunday. Stokes, 26, remains under investigation after being released without charge.

For the time being, he has retained his position of vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root but England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cricket director Andrew Strauss told an Oval news conference.

'Minor fracture'

"Ben did have an X-ray yesterday (Tuesday)," said Strauss. "Early results are that he has got a minor fracture on his right hand," the former England captain added. "There are obviously more tests that need to be done, but the early indications are that he should be fit to play a full part in all the Ashes Test matches." The injury to Stokes' right hand is believed to have been sustained during a confrontation that left a man in hospital. A police investigation is unlikely to be concluded before England leave for Australia on October 28, meaning the incident could hang over Stokes for the whole tour. Moreover, Stokes is just one on-field offence away from incurring a potential two-Test ban under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct.