Stokes stays silent...for now
BEN STOKES will give his version of the events which led to his arrest in Bristol ‘when the time is right’, his advisers revealed yesterday. Agent Neil Fairbrother broke management company ISM’s silence on the affair to say the 26-year-old is concerned about the impact his arrest and the subsequent police investigation are having on England’s Ashes preparations. For now, however, Stokes is waiting to find out if he will be charged, leaving the all-rounder’s participation against Australia in jeopardy. Somerset and Avon Police are still hoping for two witnesses to the early-hours brawl on September 25 to come forward. In a statement, Fairbrother said: ‘Ben will make public his full explanation and evidence when the time is right. That is not possible while the investigation continues and no charges have been brought. Ben does not wish to prejudice the process. ‘He is also concerned about the impact the widespread publicity has on everyone involved including the ECB, his team-mates and the game of cricket itself, which he loves.’ Stokes will not travel with England to Australia on October 28, though the ECB have not made a decision on his participation in the series. SOMERSET are prepared for a legal battle if Middlesex win their appeal against the points deduction which led to their relegation from County Championship Division One. Middlesex say they should not have been docked two points for a slow over-rate on a day when play was abandoned after a crossbow bolt was fired into The Oval. Somerset finished one point ahead of Middlesex and their chief executive Lee Cooper said: ‘If the decision is taken to reinstate the points, we will be well placed to challenge this.’