England drop Stokes after assault arrest

London : England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol and dropped for today’s fourth one-day international against West Indies.

The 26-year-old Durham star was arrested early on Monday in the Clifton district of the city and released under investigation -- without charge -- the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday.

Both Stokes and England opening batsman Alex Hales, 28, who was with him on Sunday night, will miss the game at The Oval.

A statement issued by Avon and Somerset police said: “We were called to a disorder in Queens Road, Clifton, at around 2:35am (0135 GMT) on Monday.

“A 27-year-old man was found to have suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment.

“A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has since been released under investigation.”

The incident happened following England’s 124-run win in the third ODI -- where Stokes made 73 -- in southwest city Bristol on Sunday that put them 2-0 up in a five-match series against West Indies.

Today’s fixture at The Oval takes place just hours after England are due to unveil their squad for the Ashes tour of Australia at the south London ground.

ECB England cricket director Andrew Strauss, reading from a prepared statement to reporters at The Oval on Tuesday, said: “Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be available for tomorrow’s(Wednesday’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,” the former England captain added as he continued to read out from the statement.

“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 (Tuesday) morning and has returned voluntarily to Bristol today to help police with their enquiries.”

Strauss added both Durham star Stokes -- a Test regular -- and Nottinghamshire batsman Hales, a fringe candidate who played the last of his 13 Tests 11 months ago, will be considered for the Ashes on cricketing grounds alone.

“The selectors have been instructed to select the Ashes squad based on form and fitness,” Strauss told Sky Sports in a subsequent interview.

England limited-overs captain said Jason Roy would replace Hales on the Surrey opener’s home ground, with pacemen Jake Ball and Tom Curran vying for Stokes’s spot.