ECB 'yet to make decision over Ben Stokes' selection for Ashes series
Wednesday 4 October 2017 15:25, UK
The ECB have told Sky Sports they have not yet made a decision over Ben Stokes' selection for this winter's Ashes series.
Police investigating the incident involving Stokes and Alex Hales believe there could be no significant developments with their inquiries within the next two to three weeks.
But the ECB say no decision has been made on Stokes' potential inclusion on the tour to Australia based on the police investigation and that he will continue to be 'not considered for selection until further notice'.
The England squad is set to leave in just over three weeks but Stokes and Hales remain under police investigation on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after being arrested in the early hours of September 25 during a night out in Bristol.
The news will come as a blow to the ECB who are keen for Avon and Somerset Police to conclude evidence gathering so that their own Cricketing Disciplinary Commission, headed by Tim O'Gorman, can end its own inquiries and decide if Stokes and Hales can play in Australia.
The ECB announced the Lions squad for their tour of Australia earlier this week and were expected to confirm the latest list of central contracts on Wednesday, but that is now expected to happen later this week.
The ECB were also set to name the ODI squad for the Ashes Tour this week, however this has been delayed with no date for release yet agreed.
