England’s premier all-rounder Ben Stokes was arrested for his involvement in an incident in Bristol in the early hours of Monday (September 25) morning. He had to spend the night behind the bars but next morning, he was released without any charges. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the news of Stokes’s arrest. The opener Alex Hales was assisting the police with further enquiries.
England is scheduled to play the 4th ODI of the ongoing series against Windies at the Kennington Oval, London and both Ben Stokes and Alex Hales won’t be available for selection. Stokes was arrested after the 3rd ODI that was played at Bristol and his arrest took place on the day after the match.
Andrew Strauss, ECB’s team director, said in a statement, “Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will not be available for tomorrow’s One-Day International match against West Indies at The Oval. Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol.”
“He was held overnight and released under investigation – without charge – late on Monday 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,” he added.
Police statement
“We were called to a disorder in Queens Road, Clifton, at around 2.35am on Monday (25 September). A 27-year-old man was found to have suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for treatment,” the statement read.
“A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and has since been released under investigation,” it added.
“We’d appeal for anyone who was in the Clifton Triangle area in the early hours of Monday who saw any part of this incident, to call Investigations on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 6217218578.”
Did you witness a disorder in Queens Road or Clifton Triangle area of #Bristol around 2.35am yesterday? Details below: pic.twitter.com/oYQ3qeB3Bb
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) September 26, 2017
Not the first time
This is not the first time that Stokes got arrested. In 2012 during a night out, he was held by the cops. The next incident happened in 2013 while he was playing for the England, he got drunk one night and was sent back home from the tour for breaking disciplinary protocols.