Ben Stokes: Could he still play in the Ashes, why is he is in New Zealand, what is the legal situation?
The England all-rounder has already missed the first Test and could sit out the entire Ashes series
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Your support makes all the difference.The Ashes began last week with the notable omission of Ben Stokes, with the England all-rounder still unavailable for selection pending the outcome of a police investigation into a late-night incident in Bristol last month.
The absence of the Durham cricketer has left England without one of their star performers over the last two years, with Stokes as dangerous with the bat as he is with the ball.
He also provides the England side with a balance given that there is no direct replacement, meaning either an extra bowler or extra batsman is needed in his place.
At the start of the year, Stokes was being touted as a potential Sports Personality of Year candidate, but an ugly episode in September on a night out has not only scuppered that chance but also prevented him from playing in the start of the Ashes series against Australia.
The first Test defeat this week has brought Stokes’ situation back into the focus of all English cricket fans, who believe that he must be recalled if the tourists are to have any chance of taking the Urn home.
But why is the Stokes situation so complex? Here we break it down for you.
Why is Stokes not playing?
Stokes was arrested in September after he was involved in a street fight in Bristol after the third ODI against West Indies. Having been on a night out with England teammates Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball and Liam Plunkett in the city centre, the cricketer was allegedly seen in the video throwing punches in a brawl that involved numerous individuals.
Police arrested Stokes on suspicion of actual bodily harm, and he was released without charge pending further investigation. Both Stokes and Hales have since returned to Bristol to help authorities with their investigation, with the pair being stood down from England duty for the remainder of the West Indies series.
To make matters worse, Stokes also broke his hand in the incident, though this has had enough time to heal fully.
So he hasn’t been charged?
No. With Bristol and Avon Police still investigating the incident, Stokes has not been charged with any crime, and he has also been cleared to leave the country, meaning he could theoretically travel to Australia for prepare for any sudden call-up.
An outcome is expected in the coming weeks, but until it does, Stokes’ cricketing future remains in limbo.
If he hasn’t been charged, why isn’t he playing for England?
The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed that it will wait until the completion of the police investigation before conducting their own internal review. The likelihood is that Stokes will be suspended for an undetermined length of time even if he is charged by police, and if he is not charged the ECB could choose to take the same action as they did against Bairstow, Ball and Plunkett and give him a written warning.
The ECB could also look to backdate any suspension, given that Stokes has not played for the national team since the end of September.
Where is he now?
Stokes has flown out to New Zealand this week, and while the official party line is that he is there to visit family and “practice his golf swing”, as he told reporters on arrival in Christchurch, he is also in talks to join Canterbury to feature for their side in the coming days.
Stokes has family out in New Zealand, the county of his birth, and was greeted upon arrival by his father Gerard and mother Deborah.
So when could he return?
The general consensus – and one shared by Australia – is that Stokes may well feature in the third Test in Perth. That would mean that he will miss the second Test in Adelaide, which begins on Friday, but would still return for the last three tests and the series still alive even if Australia take a 2-0 lead.
However, any return is subject to the police investigation being completed and the ECB internal review deciding that he is free to play, and neither are a given at this stage.
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