BUSTED
Arrested Stokes faces X-ray on hand injury that could rule him out of the Ashes
BEN STOKES’ Ashes future is in doubt after a late-night brawl that put a member of the public in hospital.
Stokes (above) was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm, after the fight at 2.35am on Monday, and is waiting to see whether he will be charged as a result of the investigation.
But he is also awaiting the results of an X-ray on his right hand. An injury could render Stokes unavailable for at least the first part of the Ashes tour, regardless of any potential court
case. Mirror Sport understands selectors are still planning to name the 26-year-old all-rounder in the squad, but with no guarantees he will actually make it to Australia to take part in the first Test on November 23.
Bristol police and the ECB are conducting their own investigations, with Stokes’ position as England vice-captain under threat (captain Joe Root, right).
England cricket chief Andrew Strauss is facing a series of tough decisions over the alleged fracas.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the alleged fight between Stokes and a 27-year-old man near the Mbargo nightclub, that followed England’s One Day International victory over West Indies earlier in the day.
It is claimed Stokes was provoked into an alleged reaction by fellow revellers and simply “lost it”, using his fists to resolve the dispute.
Fellow England star Alex Hales was also present and has returned to Bristol voluntarily as a potential witness.
The alleged incident came at the end of Bristol University’s freshers’ week.