Violent video footage puts Stokes’ place on Ashes t
Ben Stokes’ place on the England cricket team’s Ashes tour of Australia is in serious doubt after video footage emerged allegedly showing the earlymorning incident which led to the England vice-captain’s arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.
Stokes, 26, was said to have been involved in a fight outside a nightclub in the Clifton area of Bristol on Monday morning that left a 27-year-old man requiring hospital treatment for facial injuries. Stokes was released without charge but remains under police investigation.
England team director Andrew Strauss had already launched his own internal investigation into what happened, the results of which will decide what disciplinary action is taken against Stokes and other players out with him. But the video pictures will now be taken into account.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss described the players as “very unprofessional” for being out until 2.35am halfway through a one-day series against West Indies and admitted England would have to “look after” Stokes in Australia, where he could be targeted by Australian fans. Strauss also confirmed Stokes suffered a broken little finger in his right hand during the incident and will miss the warm-up games in Australia.
It is understood Stokes had already pulled out of Jos Buttler’s stag weekend, due to take place in Amsterdam early next month, before Monday’s incident and it is likely Strauss will review whether any other England players can go.
A man said by The Sun to be Stokes is seen to throw punches at two men, in a video that was published on the newspaper’s website.
One man is knocked to the ground after a punch purportedly by Stokes.
The England a n Board said: “We hav v for the first time ton n by The Sun. There iss investigation, whic c available evidence, respect that proces s
In the 61-second alleged to be Stoke e and grapple with ann ground before see e punch and fall to th h