Kolkata: English all-rounder Ben Stokes was arrested in Bristol, after allegedly causing injuries to a 27-year-old man in a nightclub on Monday.
Following the arrest, Stokes is set to miss the fourth ODI against the West Indies on Wednesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced, reported BBC.
The star also lies in danger of being sacked as the vice-captain of the England Test team and may also miss the Ashes next month.
The 26-year-old Stokes was arrested by the Avon and Somerset police at 2:35 BST after the incident had occurred. He was later released (after a night in custody) without any charges, but is subject to investigation. Stokes was reportedly in a night out with fellow teammates Alex Hales and Jake Ball after England’s 124- run win over the Indies in the third One-Day International in which he scored 73.
It came as a huge blow to team, jeopardising their preparations for the Ashes and also to the England selectors, who were about to name the Ashes squad within the next 24 hours. However, Director of cricket Andrew Strauss suggested that the players would be considered on cricketing grounds alone.
Selectors have been instructed to select the Ashes squad based on form and fitness as they normally would do,” said England director of cricket Andrew Strauss as quoted by BBC.
Captain of the England national team Eoin Morgan said, “It has been a little bit of a distraction. As a group we are strong at sticking together and working well as a team. It has the potential to affect the game but not letting that happen is something we will strive to do.”
Wicketkeeper batsman Sam Billings has been drafted in into the squad as a replacement, for the fourth One-Day international.
Meanwhile, opener Alex Hales who was present at the Mbargo club during the incident is also set to miss the next match as he has voluntarily returned to Bristol to cooperate with the police as a witness.