Stokes, Hales suspended by ECB
WELLINGTON: New Zealandborn England allrounder Ben Stokes has been suspended while officials look into his involvement in an apparent earlymorning street fight in the city of Bristol.
Opener Alex Hales is also in the cooler following the brawl outside a nightclub early this week.
The Sun newspaper has published footage of what it says was a brawl between Stokes and two other people, one clutching a bottle.
Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and then released without charge.
The 26yearold reportedly suffered a minor broken finger but has still been named in the 16man Ashes squad for the tour of Australia, starting in November.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said both Stokes and Hales remained on full pay pending further investigation into the Bristol incident.
‘‘Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be considered for selection for England international matches until further notice,’’ the ECB said.
‘‘These decisions, fully supported by ECB chairman Colin Graves, were made following the release of footage viewed by ECB for the first time on Thursday.
It is not the first brush with controversy for Stokes, who was born in Christchurch and shifted with his family to England at age 12.
In 2011, he was arrested for obstructing police on a night out and ultimately cautioned.
In 2012, he was sent home from an England Lions tour in Australia, alongside teammate Matt Coles, for repeatedly flouting rules on latenight drinking.
At the 2014 World T20, he punched a dressingroom locker in Barbados in frustration at a run of poor form, breaking his hand.
In 2016, Stokes appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court after being convicted of speeding for a fourth time. — NZN