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Ben Stokes and Alex Hales available for England after Cricket Discipline Commission hearing

Stokes: "I am relieved to get back to playing the game I love without this hanging over me."

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales sat before a CDC disciplinary panel in London this week
Image: Ben Stokes and Alex Hales sat before a CDC disciplinary panel in London this week

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales remain eligible for England selection but have both been fined following a Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) hearing.

The pair attended hearings on Wednesday and Friday for their involvement in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September 2017.

Both players accepted the charges of breaching ECB rules, and the three-man CDC panel imposed an eight-match ban on Stokes, which he has already served.

Stokes has also been fined £30,000, half of which should be paid to a charity or charities.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - NOVEMBER 25:  England batsman Ben Stokes hits out during Day Three of the Third Test match between Sri Lanka and England at Sinhalese Sports Club on November 25, 2018 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Image: Stokes is eligible for England immediately having served all eight matches of his ban already

In response to CDC's decision, Stokes, said: "I have already apologised to my team-mates, coaches and support staff for the consequences of my actions in Bristol.

"I regret the incident ever happened and I apologise to England supporters and to the public for bringing the game into disrepute.

"Cricket and family are my life. The incident has been a huge burden for the last 15 months.

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"I am relieved to get back to playing the game 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."

Meanwhile, Hales received a six-match ban, but has already missed two of those matches with the remaining four suspended for 12 months from the date of the hearing.

Hales was fined a total of £17,500, of which £10,000 is suspended. One condition of the suspension states that Hales must undertake appropriate training as approved by the ECB, or else the suspended elements of the penalty will be imposed.

Hales said in a statement: "I am relieved today's decision by the CDC means this chapter is now closed and I can move on with my career.

during the 3rd Royal London ODI match between England and Australia at Trent Bridge on June 19, 2018 in Nottingham, England.
Image: Alex Hales says he would love to be part of England's World Cup squad next year

"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 there very regrettable incidents to happen.

"Now all I want to do is concentrate on cricket … The next year is obviously an important one for England. I would love to be part of the squad that wins the World Cup in front of our own fans and I will be doing everything in my power to make that dream come true."

All-rounder Stokes, 27, was found not guilty of affray following a trial at Bristol Crown Court earlier this year while batsman Hales, 29, was not charged by police.

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