Ben Stokes, Alex Hales Handed Suspension by ECB
Sep 28, 2017 at 8:20 PM
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on Thursday (September 28), announced that the duo of Ben Stokes and Alex Hales are not available for selection for international matches until further notice.
Stokes and Hales were involved in the late night brawl outside a pub in Bristol which led to the former getting arrested.
Stokes was in custody overnight before being released under investigation while inquiries continue. On the other hand, Hales returned to Bristol on Tuesday to help police with their investigation.
“Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be considered for selection for England international matches until further notice,” the ECB said in a press release.
Each remains on full pay pending further ECB investigation and the on going Police investigation into an incident in Bristol in the early hours of Monday 25 September,” it added.
The decision means the duo, who got left out of the fourth ODI against Windies, won’t be considered for the final match of the series as well. ECB’s decision came in the aftermath of a video published by The Sun which shows Stokes punching two men. The English board also saw the video.
“Andrew Strauss, Director of England Cricket, will today refer the internal disciplinary procedure for these two players to the Cricket Discipline Commission, chaired by Tim O’Gorman,” the release stated. “These decisions, fully supported by ECB Chairman Colin Graves, were made following the release of footage viewed by ECB for the first time on Wednesday night.”
The latest turn of events, meanwhile, have overshadowed the Ashes. There were speculations that the brawl might end Stokes’ Ashes hopes but the all-rounder was named in the squad for the five-Test series Down Under, starting in November. Meanwhile, the fight has left Stokes with a fractured finger.