England Vs Windies: Eoin Morgan Terms Ben Stokes’ Arrest as mere ‘Distraction’ for Players
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:59 PM
England One-day international skipper Eoin Morgan revealed the arrest of star all-rounder Ben Stokes’ arrest by Bristol police has come as a ‘distraction’ for the hosts which is leading the five-match Royal London series against Windies by 2-0.
“I feel that we’ve got a strong enough squad to select from and fill that hole. So, hopefully it doesn’t effect us too much,” Morgan told British media.
Ahead of the fourth ODI which is scheduled on September 27 at The Oval in London, while speaking to the English media, Morgan hinted it had shaken the side while adding they are ready to face the Windies.
“It has been a bit of a distraction. But ultimately this game is about winning the series. We found out yesterday (September 25),” Morgan asserted.
(Read Also: Ben Stokes Arrested In Bristol For Alleged Assault)
Following the arrest which took the internet by storm, Hales and Stokes were left-out from the fourth and fifth ODI.
“There are two positions up for grabs. We’ll make a decision on that ahead of tomorrow,” Morgan maintained.
On the other side, England Cricket Board’s (ECB) national selectors are highly likely to announce the 17-member Ashes 2017-18 squad, even after the controversy had surrounded the deputy of newly-appointed England’s skipper Joe Root.
It’s pertinent to mention, the 26-year-old Three Lions Test Vice-captain Stokes was grilled behind bars on September 25 after reportedly harming the man in Bristol.
Interestingly, the promising player was flanked by opening batsman and teammate Alex Hales when the alleged assault took place in the southwest of England soon after hosts convincing win over Windies-led by Jason Holder.
The reports revealed a man in his mid-20s was hospitalised after receiving the facial injuries, according to the Independent and some of the British media outlets referred it as a hand injury.
The explosive opener Hales was with Stokes, in a bid to respond the police enquiries, as the latter was released without any charge after he spent a night in prison.
According to the ECB’s Director of Cricket and former England skipper Andrew Strauss, the players are bound to be announced owing to their performance in the recent top-flight fixtures.
While concluding, England will face Australia in the first Test on November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.
Stokes, who was released after the thorough investigation by Avon and Somerset Police, played 62 ODIS in which he scored 1,650 at an average of 35.10.
Following the astronomical rise, Stokes smashed three hundreds and ten fifties in the 50-over format.
Moreover, the left-handed batsman featured in 39 Tests and 21 Twenty20 internationals after making his international debut in 2011 against Ireland in Dublin.