Ben Stokes 'fragile and devastated' after arrest in Bristol

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is said to be “fragile and devastated” after his arrest on suspicion of assault. Video footage obtained by The Sun allegedly shows the 26-year-old in a brawl near a Bristol nightclub in the early hours of Monday (September 25). The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has initiated disciplinary procedures against the Test vice-captain.

Stokes was released under investigation without being pressed with any charges after he was “arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm”. However, Stokes along with Alex Hales will not be considered for selection for England until further notice. Former skipper Michael Vaughan was among those who said Stokes needed to ‘look at himself in the mirror’ after the arrest.

Members of the ECB are understood to have spoken on Thursday morning via video conference, and the footage obtained by The Sun newspaper has been reviewed at the highest levels of the organisation.

What this could mean for England

There could be an announcement later on regarding the interim measures with respect to Stokes, who has been named in England’s 16-man Ashes squad for the tour of Australia this winter. If Stokes is to be removed from the squad, the decision will be taken by the director of cricket Andrew Strauss after discussion with the selectors and will be sent to the ECB board to be ratified.

The footage shows a man (who appears to be Stokes) repeatedly swinging punches at two other men. In the video, which police say has not been handed to them, the men can be heard saying: “That’s enough Stokesy.” The minute long clip begins with one of the men – who is eventually knocked to the floor – appearing to attempt to strike somebody with a bottle.

England had beaten West Indies by 124 runs in the third One-Day International in Bristol, where Stokes scored 73. Hours later, the all-rounder was arrested at Bristol’s Mbargo club after an incident at about 02:35 BST which left another man needing infirmary treatment for facial injuries.

The all-rounder was not available for Wednesday’s fourth ODI, in which England completed a series victory over Windies. Team-mate Alex Hales, who was with Stokes at the club, and also missed the match as he returned to Bristol to help the police.

Ben Stokes is in England’s Test squad to play Australia in a five-match Ashes series, which begins in Brisbane on 23 November despite sustaining a minor finger fracture on his right hand after the incident in Bristol but is expected to be fit for the tour. The ECB is being kept fully abreast of the police’s criminal investigation. Stokes, too, is said to be well aware of the magnitude of what has happened. Among the ECB’s priorities is his wellbeing, as per BBC reports.