Ben Stokes arrested over nightclub incident, putting England's Ashes preparations in turmoil
Ben Stokes celebrated an Ashes win in 2015, but his 2017-18 tour could be in jeopardy. (Reuters: Philip Brown)
England Test vice-captain Ben Stokes could be in doubt for this year's Ashes tour after he was arrested following an alleged late-night pub fight in Bristol that left a man in hospital with facial injuries.
Stokes will sit out today's one-day international against the West Indies after he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after an incident in Bristol, police and the team said.
While a decision is yet to be made about Stokes' selection for this summer's Ashes series in Australia, England one-day captain Eion Morgan admits the incident is a disruption to his side.
"There's not actually a lot I can tell you probably the most relevant thing for us at the moment is that Ben and Alex won't be available for tomorrow's game for selection so it does leave two spots up for grabs," he said.
The disorder that led to a man being hospitalised with facial injuries occurred hours after Stokes played in England's one-day international victory over West Indies at the Bristol County Ground in south-west England.
Batsman Alex Hales, who was out with the 26-year-old Stokes after the match, returned voluntarily to Bristol on Tuesday to help police with the investigation, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.
Ben Stokes will miss the upcoming one-day international against the West Indies. (Reuters: Jason Cairnduff)
Stokes and Hales were absent from practice on Tuesday (local time) and they will miss the fourth match in the five-match ODI series against the West Indies on Wednesday at The Oval in London.
Bristol police said officers were called to a "disorder" on a CBD street at 2.35am on Monday (local time). The BBC and Guardian said the incident happened at the Mbargo nightclub.
An unidentified 27-year-old man "suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment," Avon and Somerset Police said in an appeal for witnesses.
Asked about Stokes, the police force confirmed: "A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has since been released under investigation."
The ECB said Stokes was released late Monday.
The incident came just as England prepares to name its squad for the Ashes tour of Australia.
Stokes has a chequered off-field record. He was cautioned by police after being arrested for obstructing police during a night out in 2011.
The allrounder was sent home from an England Lions tour of Australia the following year for flouting rules on late-night drinking. He missed the World Twenty20 in 2014 after breaking his hand while punching a dressing room locker in Barbados while enduring poor form. Last year, Stokes was convicted of speeding for a fourth time.