Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not play in the fourth ODI at The Oval following incident in Bristol on Monday morning.
Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have been left out of England’s squad for the fourth one-day international against West Indies at The Oval following an incident in Bristol.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday that Test vice-captain Stokes had been arrested in Bristol on Monday morning and that Hales was helping police with inquiries.
The incident followed England’s win over the Windies in the third ODI, which the hosts won by seven wickets.
“Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol,” the ECB said in a statement.
“He was held overnight and released under investigation – without charge – and will not join the team in London.
“Hales who was with Stokes on Sunday night did not train this morning and has returned voluntarily to Bristol today to help Police with their enquiries.
“You will understand that we cannot offer further detail at this stage but will provide any updates when we can.”
The Avon and Somerset Police also released a statement concerning the incident on Tuesday, stating: “We were called to a disorder in Queens Road, Clifton, at around 2.35am 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.”
England will meet the Windies in the fourth ODI at The Oval on Wednesday holding a 2-0 series lead.
ODI skipper Eoin Morgan admitted the incident had been “a bit of a distraction”, saying he was informed on Monday.
“But ultimately this game is about winning the series,” Morgan said at The Oval on Tuesday.
“We feel we have a strong enough squad to be able to select from in order to fill that hole.
“Hopefully it doesn’t affect us too much.”
England’s squad for the Magellan Ashes – a series in which allrounder Stokes, is set to play a key role in his team’s Ashes defence – will be named shortly before the start of the match.
Stokes has faced disciplinary action before – in 2012 he was arrested on a night out and received a caution from the police, while in 2013 he was sent home from an England Lions tour due to late-night drinking. In 2014, he was ruled out of the World T20 after breaking his hand punching a locker.
Last month, Stokes received a reprimand from the ICC following an “inappropriate comment” that was picked up on the stump microphone and by on-field officials during day two of the second Test against West Indies in Leeds.
Stokes was docked one demerit point for a breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “using language or a gesture that is obscene”, his total demerit points tally to three. Another point will result in a suspension for Stokes.
