Vaughan: Stokes has suffered enough punishment

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Former captain Michael Vaughan has insisted all-rounder Ben Stokes return to the England Test XI with immediate effect.

Stokes was found not guilty of affray earlier this week, after a much-publicised altercation with two men in Bristol last year.

He has since been added to the squad for the third Test against India, which starts later this week, but will be subjected to an England and Wales Cricket Board disciplinary hearing.

“I believe he has suffered enough punishment already and the cricket disciplinary case against him should take into account the time he has already served after missing the five Tests and one-day series in Australia,” Vaughan wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

“There is no question he brought the game into disrepute but cricketers have few opportunities in their lives to play an Ashes series in Australia and missing that tour was a massive blow for Ben. There is no need to keep clobbering him with suspensions.

“I totally agree with Ben being added to the squad for the third Test on Saturday as long as he feels ready to, which no doubt he does.”

Team-mate Alex Hales, who was with Stokes during September 2017’s brawl in Bristol, will also stand before the ECB’s judgement.

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