A video that allegedly shows Ben Stokes throwing punches in a street fight has emerged on the day he was selected for England's Ashes cricket squad.
Ben Stokes (right) and Alastair Cook celebrate Stokes scoring the fastest test century at Lord's. Photo: Photosport
England vice-captain Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and released without charge on Monday, but remains under investigation.
Coach Trevor Bayliss has described the circumstances which led to Stokes' arrest in Bristol early on Monday as
A man said by The Sun to be Stokes is seen to throw punches at two men, in a video that was published on the newspaper's website.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said: "We have seen this footage for the first time tonight - when posted by The Sun.
"There is an ongoing Police investigation, which will look at all available evidence, and we do have to respect that process."
Stokes was born in New Zealand.
Stokes, England's highest-profile cricketer and key match-winner, was part of a 16-man squad named today to tour Australia this summer.
England's Test vice-captain Ben Stokes was arrested after an incident at Bristol's Mbargo club. Photo: The Sun
An X-ray showed a minor fracture of a finger on the player's right hand but he is expected to be fit for the opening game of the tour against a Western Australia XI in Perth on Nov. 4. Stokes also retains the vice-captaincy.
The former Victoria state cricketer Darren Berry has lamented seeing footage.
Berry was with former Australian Test player David Hookes when he died from a king-hit in January 2004.
"Sadly just viewed the damning video footage of the Ben Stokes incident," Berry said in Twitter.
"It brought back horrific memories for me. Nothing good comes of this."
Hookes, who was wicketkeeper Berry's coach at the Bushrangers at the time of his death, was punched to the ground in Melbourne by a hotel bouncer, who was later acquitted of manslaughter.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan defended Stokes in two now-deleted tweets.
"Seen the video of (Stokes). It's not good. But I would like to know why the kid swings a bottle at the start !?" Vaughan said.
"The video is awful viewing. (Stokes) shouldn't be in that position. But was he reacting & protecting 2 people from a random attack!"
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was included for the first time, along with fast bowler Craig Overton and specialist spinner Mason Crane, while James Vince ends an absence dating back to August last year.
Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, who had lost his test place through a finger injury in July, was also included in a squad with three uncapped players.
The Ashes defence starts with the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Nov. 23-27.
"We have provided (captain) Joe Root and (coach) Trevor Bayliss with a well-balanced squad with options in all areas," said national selector James Whitaker in a statement.
"Foakes deserves his selection for the first time at this level. His glovework has been exemplary and he is regarded as a wicketkeeper of the highest quality."
Whitaker said Overton, who steps in for the injured Mark Wood, had also impressed for Somerset. "He has taken 43 Championship wickets this summer and will relish playing in Australian conditions," he added.
Vince's recall comes as England seek to fill the problem number three slot. He did not feature this season after notching 212 runs at an average of 19 in his seven tests last year.
"The selectors are backing James Vince to make an impact on his recall to the Test squad," said Whitaker. "He is a quality strokeplayer and we believe his game will suit the Australian pitches.
"His understanding of the England set-up will help him settle into the environment quickly and hit the ground running when we arrive in Perth next month."
England's middle order is settled, with Stokes, keeper Jonny Bairstow and all-rounder Moeen Ali regularly taking turns to bat England out of trouble against South Africa and West Indies.
Former England captain Mike Atherton warned however that Stokes would be targeted in Australia -- with lingering doubts about him even making it that far.
"With the investigation under way, who knows whether there may be legal ramifications that will imperil his participation in Australia," he wrote in the Times newspaper.
"Australians, on and off the field, will need no encouragement to get under his skin. Unwittingly, Stokes has brought a little more scrutiny and pressure to bear on a tour that will not be short of either."
The hosts whitewashed England 5-0 in the last Ashes in Australia in 2013/14.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who recently took his 500th test wicket, will again spearhead the attack although neither is naturally suited to the extra pace and bounce of Australian pitches.
The ECB said former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond had been appointed as a consultant and will be part of the England management team up to the end of second test in Australia.
Squad:
Joe Root (captain, Yorkshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), James Vince (Hampshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper, Yorkshire), Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper, Surrey), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Craig Overton (Somerset).
-Reuters
