Ashes spot in doubt for Stokes

BEN Stokes’ Ashes winter appears to be in jeopardy after England suspended him and Alex Hales from all future international matches until further notice.

They will not be considered for selection, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced, after the governing body saw video footage published on The Sun newspaper’s website which allegedly shows Stokes throwing punches in a street fight.

Test vice-captain Stokes, who was selected in England’s Ashes squad on Wednesday, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after disorder in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol in the early hours of Monday morning.

Stokes was released without charge later that day but has remained under investigation by Avon & Somerset Police ever since while Hales returned voluntarily to Bristol on Tuesday to provide further evidence about the incident.

In a statement yesterday, the ECB said: “Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be considered for selection for England international matches until further notice.

“Each remains on full pay pending further ECB investigation and the ongoing police investigation into an incident in Bristol in the early hours of Monday, September 25.

“Andrew Strauss, director of England Cricket, will today refer the internal disciplinary procedure for these two players to the Cricket Discipline Commission, chaired by Tim O’Gorman.”