Ali insists England can still win Ashes

MOEEN Ali insists England can win this winter’s Ashes with or without vice-captain Ben Stokes.

England named Stokes in their 16-man squad on Wednesday, despite his arrest two days earlier on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm at the end of a night out in Bristol in the middle of the Royal London Series.

After a video published on The Sun’s website, which allegedly showed him throwing a series of punches in a street fight outside a nightclub in the Clifton Triangle, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced both Stokes – who has a broken finger on his right hand – and one-day international opener Alex Hales will not be considered for selection until further notice.

Serious doubt hangs over Stokes’ availability to travel when England depart for Australia on October 28, with the first Ashes Test set to get under way in Brisbane less than a month later.

Asked if England can still bring the Ashes back even if Stokes takes no part, he said: “Yes – otherwise I feel there’s no point in going out there.

“If he’s not there, then we’re going to have to play well without him ... (but) I definitely feel we can still win.”

Moeen was speaking after England had concluded their longest ever summer with a nine-wicket trouncing of the tourists at the Ageas Bowl.

“I think we all know how good a cricketer he is, and what he can bring to the table,” he added of Stokes.

“He’s one of the main players we have, and it would be great to have him out there ... but we’ll see what happens.” Ben Stokes