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Stokes makes England Ashes squad despite arrest
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England allrounder Ben Stokes was named yesterday in a 16-man squad for the Ashes tour to Australia despite being arrested earlier in the week for an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub.
Stokes, England’s highest-profile cricketer and match-winner, was held on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in the early hours of Monday and released under investigation.
An X-ray showed a minor fracture of a finger on the player’s right hand but he is expected to be fit for the opening game of the tour against a Western Australia XI in Perth on November 4. Stokes also retains the vice captaincy.
The England and Wales Cricket Board statement announcing the squad did not mention the incident, which has been the talk of the last 24 hours.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was included for the first time, along with fast bowler Craig Overton and specialist spinner Mason Crane, while James Vince ends an absence dating back to August last year.
Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, who had lost his test place through a finger injury in July, was also included in a squad with three uncapped players.
The Ashes defense starts with the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 23-27.
“We have provided (captain) Joe Root and (coach) Trevor Bayliss with a well-balanced squad with options in all areas,” said national selector James Whitaker in a statement.
England’s middle order is settled, with Stokes, keeper Jonny Bairstow and allrounder Moeen Ali regularly taking turns to bat England out of trouble against South Africa and West Indies.
Former England captain Mike Atherton warned, however, that Stokes would be targeted in Australia — with lingering doubts about him even making it that far. “With the investigation under way, who knows whether there may be legal ramifications that will imperil his participation in Australia,” he wrote in the Times newspaper.
“Australians, on and off the field, will need no encouragement to get under his skin. Unwittingly, Stokes has brought a little more scrutiny and pressure to bear on a tour that will not be short of either.”
The hosts whitewashed England 5-0 in the last Ashes in Australia in 2013/14.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who recently took his 500th test wicket, will again spearhead the attack.
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