ECB yet to take a call on Ben Stokes' future ahead of the Ashes

England Test vice- captain Ben Stokes’s availability for the Ashes next month against Australia looks doubtful as ECB is yet to take call on the English cricketer’s current future. It has been learned that he remains a subject to a police investigation. Stokes exclusion will be a big blow to the England side as they look to defend their title against Steve Smith’s men.

Stokes has been named in the England squad, but he is suspended along with his limited overs team-mate Alex Hales. Stokes was arrested last week on suspicion of causing bodily  harm during disorder outside a nightclub in Bristol.

Stokes’ participation in the Ashes is doubtful as an update from Avon & Somerset Police is unlikely to arrive before mid-month. ECB director Andrew Strauss announced almost instantly last week that the governing body will set up its own disciplinary committee to investigate the case but once the clip featuring Stokes was surfaced, ECB decided to suspend both Stokes and Hales.

Piers Morgan’s version

I’m hearing that Ben Stokes intervened to help two gay guys who were being abused by yobs, one of whom was armed with a bottle,” Piers Morgan tweeted in the aftermath to the alleged incident. “Stokes has told friends he was incensed by the homophobic taunts, then saw the bottle being raised and decided to defend himself.” he said.

“Stokes obviously regrets what happened but apparently his view is: ‘They started it, I finished it. I was protecting those guys. Police are aware of Stokes’ version of events and are now trying to find the two gay men, to corroborate what he’s said”.

Stokes is set to give away the vice-captain’s batch once he returns. England’s new central contract list is expected to be out by the end of this week, and therefore everyone will keep an eye on Ben Stokes’s name.