Mark Stoneman says England need to set an example at the Ashes
Thursday 2 November 2017 09:57, UK
England batsman Mark Stoneman says the squad must set an example on and off the pitch in Australia.
Vice-captain Ben Stokes did not fly to Australia with his England team-mates on Saturday as the investigation into his arrest on suspicion of actual bodily harm following an incident in Bristol in September continues.
The incident means player behaviour will be scrutinised but Stoneman is adamant the squad will behave in the right manner.
He said: "We have a fantastic sense of pride and hopefully we can do justice to ourselves on the cricket pitch but also as people off the field as well. We need to conduct ourselves in a manner that everyone back home can be proud of.
"Obviously, recent events have cast a shadow on that but it is up to us to carry it forward and represent ourselves in good fashion."
It's still yet to be decided whether Stokes will join up with the squad before the opening Test on November 23.
Stoneman says he hopes the all-rounder can eventually travel to Australia and take some part in the Ashes.
He added: "He is a massive miss, it's a massive miss for him and for the team as well. It is very unfortunate for the way things have panned out.
"He is a fantastic guy, it was tough to see the way things panned out with the events that happened. But obviously, things are still unfolding back home with the police investigation.
"It would be great if we could have him here at some point."
