England want clarity on complicated Stokes situation, says Strauss
LONDON: The uncertainty surrounding the fate of suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes is hampering England’s preparations for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, former skipper Andrew Strauss has said.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suspended vice-captain Stokes pending an investigation into an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September, for which he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.
He was released without charge, but remains under police investigation.
England have arrived in Australia without Stokes, who is considered vital to their hopes of retaining the Ashes following their 3-2 victory in 2015.
The series begins at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 23 with the fifth and final Test in Sydney from January 4
“The situation, in a word, is complicated,” ECB director of cricket Strauss told the BBC.
“There’s two different potential disciplinary procedures he has to go through, one is the ECB’s internal one and the other is any potential police action.
“Until we know more from the police, it’s very hard for us to put a timeline on anything.
“What we all want is clarity on what that situation is and how much cricket he will be missing for England.
“We’re keen to get into that and move this forward, but we’re in the hands of
“Ben has been and is developing into a world-class cricketer. The fact he’s not out there at the moment is a blow to the England team.”
Strauss is the last captain to lead England to an Ashes win in Australia when they beat the hosts 3-1 in 2010-11.
Their last trip to Australia four years ago was nothing short of a disaster, as they suffered a humiliating 5-0 whitewash.
However, Strauss said that stinging defeat would motivate the current side.
“I was involved in a 5-0 drubbing in 2006 and I used that as a very strong base for retribution,” Strauss added.
“I’m sure the guys who were the police. there last time and suffered the chastening defeat at the hands of Mitchell Johnson will want to put that right.”
Meanwhile, England’s pace spearhead James Anderson is keen to bowl with the pink Kookaburra ball in the daynight warm-up game in Adelaide to gain an experience which he believes will come in handy in their Ashes campaign against Australia.
England have played just one day-night Test at home, with Dukes balls, and will face Australia in pink-ball cricket in the second match of the five-Test series at the Adelaide Oval from December 2.
“Having the chance to practise with that and play in a first-class game is really important for us, especially playing at Adelaide where the Test match is going to be,” Anderson told reporters after arriving in Adelaide for the match starting tomorrow.
“I’ve heard the pink Kookaburra does swing a bit more. I guess finding out how much the ball swings and what time of day it swings will be really useful for us.
“We spoke to the South Africans in our summer and they said it was difficult for batsmen in the twilight period and when the lights came on.”
England’s most prolific wicket-taker took four wickets in the touring side’s drawn opening warm-up game in Perth against a young Western Australia XI, with their batsmen also spending some useful time in the middle.
But their preparations have been hampered by the uncertainty around the fate of Stokes.
The 35-year-old Anderson, who has played 129 Tests, said he would be ready to fill the role of Joe Root’s deputy if needed.
“Of course I wouldn’t turn it down,” Anderson said. “In the last couple of years, I’ve seen my role in the team as a leader.
“It’s your responsibility to be a leader. It’s part and parcel of the job as a senior player having played over 100 Tests.
“With young bowlers coming into the team I’ve tried to help out as much as I can. I think it’s important that Joe has people he can rely upon.” – Reuters