Stokes’s Ashes doubtful after ‘brawl’ video

LONDON: England star Ben Stokes’s inclusion for the Ashes tour of Australia was under renewed scrutiny after The Sun newspaper published video footage purporting to show him engaged in a street brawl.

The Test vice-captain was included in England’s 16-man Ashes squad led by skipper Joe Root announced on Wednesday, despite injuring his hand in the incident that led to his arrest in Bristol on suspicion of causing bodily harm.

The 26-year-old was released without charge on Monday, but remains under investigation.

In the video posted by the Sun, Stokes appears to be fighting with two men.

“There is an ongoing police investigation, and we do have to respect that process,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board.

He was omitted from England’s series-clinching ODI win against West Indies at The Oval after being arrested in the early hours of Monday morning.

His arrest followed England’s win in the third ODI in the southwestern city of Bristol on Sunday.

“As it currently stands, he is (Test) vice-captain pending any disciplinary action,” ECB cricket director Andrew Strauss told reporters.

England coach Trevor Bayliss replied “definitely not” when asked by Sky Sports on Wednesday if he was happy with players staying out until the early hours during a series.

Stokes, potentially just one on-field offence away from a Test ban under the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct, is seen as vital to England’s chances of retaining the Ashes in Australia, which start with November’s first Test in Brisbane.

Stokes, sent home from an England Lions tour in Australia in 2012/13 for flouting a ban on late-night drinking, told The Times in an interview published on Saturday he enjoyed a couple of beers after stumps.

“We’re grown men, go out for dinner, have a few pints,” he said.

“I’m 26, not 14. I don’t have to drink Diet Cokes with dinner. AFP