Police waiting for Stokes witnesses

POLICE are still to hear from ‘two specific witnesses’ as their investigation into Ben Stokes continues — with the clock ticking down to the Ashes. The all-rounder was arrested 10 days ago on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after an early-hours brawl outside a Bristol nightclub. Stokes was subsequently named in Joe Root’s England squad, which departs for Australia on October 28, before being suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after footage, reported to be of the incident, emerged. The fact that the two witnesses are yet to come forward — despite an appeal for them to do so by police — will further hamper Stokes’s chances of being on the plane. He was released without charge but under investigation, following his arrest by Avon and Somerset Police. The force are continuing their probe. They will gather evidence before deciding whether they believe Stokes, 26, should be charged. If that is the case, a file will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide whether to do so. An update on the situation is expected in two to three weeks, however that may just end up being a plea for more information.

Australia have suffered a significant pre-Ashes blow with one of their fourpronged pace attack, James Pattinson, ruled out of the series through injury. Pattinson, 27, who would have formed the attack with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, has suffered multiple historical stress fractures of the back and was ordered to rest after reporting pain following a successful county stint with Nottinghamshire in the summer.

Notts all-rounder Samit Patel was last night voted the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year.