Stokes and Hales available for West Indies tour
Ben Stokes and Alex Hales will both be available for the Caribbean leg of England’s winter itinerary after the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Cricket Disciplinary Committee (CDC) completed their inquiry into the incident in Bristol in September 2017 where the England internationals were involved in a fight outside a nightclub. The two were also under investigation for “inappropriate” images and videos. As a result, both men were charged with bringing the game into disrepute.
Stokes had also faced criminal charges for affray after the incident in Bristol, but he was found not guilty in a court case that concluded in August.
Stokes has been fined £30,000 and has been banned for eight matches. However, having missed two ODIs immediately following the incident in Bristol, and having been left out of the tour to Australia last winter it has been deemed that he has missed enough cricket already to cover that ban and he remains eligible for selection for England.
Hales was fined a total of £17,500 and banned for six matches. However, £10,000 of the fine and four of those match bans have been suspended for a period of 12 months. Having already been left out for two matches Hales is also available for selection for England and will not need to spend any further time on the sidelines.
The CDC is funded by the ECB but is an independent organisation. Because of the way it is set up there is no right to appeal these verdicts. Both men have have accepted the charges.
In a statement released via his social media accounts, Stokes said he had learned a important lessons from the incidents.
"Everyone will now be aware that the CDC disciplinary proceedings have now concluded and I accept the decision of the Panel," Stokes said. "I had entered guilty pleas to bringing the game into disrepute much earlier in the process and I want to thank the panel for their time and consideration now that the hearing has ended.
"The criminal charges and, subsequently, the disciplinary charges have made it difficult to make public comment about the issues. I have already apologised to my team mates, coaches and support staff for the consequences of my actions in Bristol. I regret that the incident ever happened and I apologise to England supporters and to the public for bringing the game into disrepute. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process.
"Cricket and family are my life. This incident has been a huge burden for the last 15 months. I am relieved to get back to playing the game that I love without this hanging over me. Although the disciplinary process is now over, I have learned lessons that will stay with me for much longer."
Hales also shared a statement over his social media channels apologising for his behaviour.
"I am relieved today's decision by the CDC means this chapter is now closed and I can move on with my career," Hales said. "There is no doubt I fell below the high standards expected of an international sportsman and that was the reason for my decision to admit the charges and accept the punishment handed down. More than anything, I sincerely apologise for putting myself in a position which allowed these very regrettable incidents to happen."
Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the ECB, released a statement on the CDC’s verdict.
"Today is a very strong reminder of the values that sit at the heart of our game and the standards that should always be expected. We accept the decisions made by the Cricket Discipline Commission and the sanctions they have given to Alex Hales and Ben Stokes.
"Each pleaded guilty, admitted their charges and has accepted their sanctions. They will now be available to play for England, with the same support as all of our players."
England’s next fixtures will be against the Windies in the Caribbean where they will play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20 Internationals between 23 January and 10 March 2019.