Stokes arrested after violent clash in Bristol, to miss ODI vs Windies
London, September 26
Ben Stokes was arrested on Monday after an incident in Bristol and will miss the fourth ODI against West Indies.
“He was held overnight and released under investigation, without charge, late on Monday and will not join the team in London,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement. Opener Alex Hales, who was with Stokes on Sunday night, will also miss Wednesday’s ODI to be played here. ECB said Hales had returned voluntarily to the city in the west of England to help police with their enquiries.
The news broke as the England selectors meet to finalise the squad for the Ashes Tour to Australia. The flame-haired Stokes, vice-captain of the England Test team and one of the most destructive batsmen, would expect to be one of the first names on the list. “The selectors have been instructed to select the Ashes squad based on form and fitness as they normally would,” said Andrew Strauss, England’s director of cricket.
The ECB gave no further details of the incident, but the BBC said the clash occurred in a city nightclub. Sky Sports reported that the 26-year-old player had injured his hand. Avon and Somerset police said they had been called to a disorder in the Clifton area in the early hours. “A 27-year-old man was found to have suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment,” they said in a statement. “A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has since been released under investigation.”
This is not the first time Stokes has been involved in a drunken brawl. The Durham player was arrested and cautioned for obstructing police on Dec. 16, 2011. In 2013, Stokes had to leave the England Lions squad following a late-night drinking incident. He had to miss the World T20 in 2014 after fracturing his hand while trying to punch a locker. — Agencies
Drinks break
- Root-Warner brawl: In June 2013, David Warner punched England’s Joe Root in a late-night bar attack which was apparently sparked by a row over a fake beard. The players were drinking after England’s win over Australia at Edgbaston earlier that day
- Panesar urinates: In August 2013, Monty Panesar had to issue an apology after being ejected from a club and urinating on the bouncers in retaliation. Panesar, 31, was partying at the Shooshh nightspot when group of women complained that he was hassling them. Door attendants reportedly asked the bowler to leave, prompting Panesar to go up to the promenade above the club and urinate directly on the bouncers
- Black eye: Ricky Ponting was dropped from Australia’s ODI team after being knocked unconscious in a fight at a Sydney night club in January 1999. Ponting admitted to a problem with alcohol and said he intended to seek counselling. Sporting a bruise under his left eye next day, Ponting said he had no recollections of the incident
- Fatal punch: In Jan 2004, former Oz Test cricketer David Hookes died from head injuries after being involved in a fight outside a hotel bar in Melbourne. A scuffle broke out between six people at the bar moments before Hookes was punched unconscious by a hotel bouncer. The incident happened when the 48-year-old was celebrating a win for the Victoria state side he coached
