Gareth’s dismay at his options
Star all-rounder faces axe from Ashes tour after he and batsman Hales are banned by ECB
BEN STOKES’ Ashes hopes are in serious jeopardy after he and Alex Hales were suspended indefinitely from playing for England pending further investigation into their late-night fracas in Bristol.
A crisis meeting of the ECB, cricket’s governing body, decided there was little other option available to them after video footage of the incident emerged.
On Wednesday Stokes was named in the Ashes squad to THEO WALCOTT gave up his chance of a European hat-trick last night so team-mate Olivier Giroud could score his 100th Arsenal goal. Walcott, who had already scored twice in the Europa League defeat of Belarusian side Bate Borisov, stood aside when Arsenal were handed a 49th-minute penalty. And Giroud duly converted, adding to a further goal from Rob Holding. Walcott said: “It’s a great moment in his career to get tour Australia this winter but the ECB will wait for the outcome of its own disciplinary inquiry into the incident, as well as the ongoing police investigation, before deciding whether to lift the suspension.
The ECB statement 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 100 goals for Arsenal, I have achieved that. That is why he took the penalty. I can’t be too selfish.”
There was misery for Everton, however, who had come from behind to lead against Apollon Limassol of Cyprus through Wayne Rooney and Nikola Vlasic but – after Apollon were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute – they equalised late on. GARETH SOUTHGATE admits there are players in his latest England squad who did not deserve to be called up.
The Three Lions head coach is without at least 12 injured players for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania.
England need just two points to be certain of top spot in Group F but after yesterday naming his squad, which includes Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph nearly two years after he won the last of nine caps, Southgate said. “It’s incredible. If you were to ask am I entirely happy with the squad I’ve named then, no, because we’ve got too many players missing with injury.
“I’d rather be making difficult decisions but it’s frustrating because the biggest story is we’ve got about 12 players missing.
“The consequence is you could argue there are one or two who haven’t necessarily warranted it on their performances. I want competition for places