Stokes arrested, to miss final ODIs against Windies

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have been suspended for England’s final two ODIs against West Indies after being involved in an altercation with a member of the public in Bristol on Monday.

Stokes, who is England’s Test vice-captain, was arrested for the incident and spent a night in jail but was released without a charge.

Hales was present when the incident happened in the early hours of Monday morning after England had beaten the Windies by 124 runs on Sunday to go two-nil up in the five-match series.

Both players will now miss the last two ODIs of the series, scheduled for Wednesday and Friday, with Hales expected to help the Bristol police with any enquiries.

An ECB statement on Tuesday said: “Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be available for tomorrow’s one-day international match against West Indies at The Oval.

“Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol.

“He was held overnight and released under investigation – without charge – late on Monday and will not join the team in London.

“Hales, who was with Stokes on Sunday night, did not train this morning and has returned voluntarily to Bristol today to help police with their enquiries.”

England’s director of cricket Andrew Strauss confirmed that they would be launching their own investigation and will address the team in London later on Tuesday.

The England squad for the Ashes tour to Australia will still be announced, as planned, on Wednesday.

Strauss said:  “I went to see Ben last night down in Bristol. I will be addressing players this afternoon after practice.

“We will obviously be launching our own investigation into the circumstances surrounding this. The Ashes selection will be going ahead as planned.”

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