Stokes all set for contract as probe continues

ENGLAND are expected to include Ben Stokes and Alex Hales in their list of new annual central contracts.

Stokes’s name, especially, will be the most notable when the England and Wales Cricket Board announces this morning which players will be contracted for the next 12 months.

There are no cricketing reasons why the Test vicecaptain and the one-day international opener should not both retain their respective status.

Stokes’s Ashes prospects, however, remain in jeopardy as – with time running desperately short – England await the next stage in a police investigation following his arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

The key all-rounder’s hopes of boarding the plane with the rest of Joe Root’s squad appear to fade with every day that ticks by before the departure date of October 28.

He is currently in England’s squad but, along with Hales, suspended from international selection until further notice.

Stokes was arrested 11 days ago following disorder outside a Bristol nightclub when Hales was also present.

The 26-year-old was released without charge but is under investigation by Avon & Somerset Police, and two days later England picked him as planned in their Ashes squad and retained him as vice-captain.

The next update in police inquiries is unlikely to come before mid-October at the earliest.

Samit Patel and Jamie Porter shared top billing as the Professional Cricketers’ Association presented its awards at an annual dinner in London.

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Patel added the NatWest PCA Players’ Player award to his tabletopping status as this summer’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Recognition came Patel’s way for his part in the club’s Twenty20 Blast and Royal London Cup white-ball double, as well as County Championship promotion from Division Two.

Essex seamer Porter scooped the PCA’s Young Player of the Year and County Championship top performer awards after his club won Division One at their first attempt back in the top flight.

All-rounder Luis Reece, 27, has signed a new three-year contract at Derbyshire.