Lessons will stay with me, Stokes says
LONDON: England allrounder Ben Stokes and batsman Alex Hales have been fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board following last year’s brawl outside a Bristol bar.
Stokes pleaded guilty to two charges brought against him, one of bringing the game into disrepute in relation to the altercation and a second for an inappropriate video, in which he performed an impression of the disabled son of glamour model Katie Price.
The 27yearold, who was cleared in court of affray last August, was also handed an eightmonth suspension. However, as he was banned for the Ashes in Australia last year and the subsequent oneday series, he is free to play against the West Indies in January.
Stokes was also fined £30,000 ($NZ55,545) and warned about his future conduct.
‘‘The criminal charges and, subsequently, the disciplinary charges have made it difficult to make public comment about the issues,’’ Stokes said in a statement.
‘‘I have already apologised to my teammates, coaches and support staff for the consequences of my actions in Bristol.
‘‘I regret that the incident ever happened and I apologise to England supporters and to the public for bringing the game into disrepute. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process.
‘‘Cricket and family are my life.
‘‘This incident has been a huge burden for the last 15 months. I am relieved to get back to playing the game that I love without this hanging over me.
‘‘Although the disciplinary process is now over, I have learned lessons that will stay with me for much longer.’’
Hales was also charged with circulating ‘‘inappropriate images’’.
He was fined £17,500 with £10,000 suspended and a sixmatch ban, with four suspended.
Hales will also be free to play in the Caribbean in the new year after also missing matches in Australia 12 months ago. — AAP