Hales says he’s off hook but what now for Stokes?

ALEX HALES believes he will face no further action from police following the Bristol brawl that ended with England team-mate Ben Stokes being arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

Sources close to Hales, 28, revealed that a visit to Patchway Police Centre in the city on Friday had concluded with him being released without charge after providing a witness statement.

And that he was no longer part of their inquiries.

Ian Kelcey, a lawyer recommended to Hales by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, suggested it was a reasonable assumption that his client would face no criminal charge.

‘I’d be surprised if he did. It’s unlikely from what I’ve seen thus far. He’s in a totally different position to Ben Stokes,’ Kelcey said.

Stokes, withdrawn from the 16-strong travelling Ashes party bound for Australia on October 28 by England director of cricket Andrew Strauss on Friday, is still waiting to discover whether he will be charged.

Earlier this week Avon and Somerset Police revealed they were not expecting an update on the investigation for at least a

FROM FRONT PAGE fortnight. They were not available for comment when the Mail On Sunday tried to contact them on Saturday.

Both men were excluded from selection indefinitely on full pay after footage of the altercation outside the Mbargo nightclub emerged ahead of the penultimate match of the one-day series against West Indies.

And the pair are subject to an internal probe by the Cricket Discipline Commission on recommendation of Strauss.

They have effectively missed two ODIs so far but potentially face lengthier bans. On Friday, a trio of players unrelated to the fracas — Liam Plunkett, Jonny Bairstow and Jake Ball — received written warnings and fines from the CDC for staying out late and drinking in Bristol.

England insist no decision has been taken on Stokes’s Ashes participation after handing him a central contract. Hales received one of the annual white-ball deals, although his schedule for the rest of the year is outside the international circuit.

It is yet to be seen whether Hales will be allowed to fulfill his commitments with Stellenbosch Kings at the T20 Global League.