London: Ben Stokes was included in England’s 16-man squad for the Ashes tour of Australia announced Wednesday despite breaking his hand in the incident that led to his recent arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.
Durham all-rounder Stokes has been dropped for Wednesday’s fourth ODI against West Indies at the Oval – the venue for the Ashes squad announcement – after being arrested early Monday morning in Bristol.
Stokes, 26, remains under investigation after being released without charge. He also has retained his position of vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root.
“Ben did have an X-ray yesterday (Tuesday),” said ECB cricket director Andrew Strauss. “Early results are that he has got a minor fracture on his right hand. There are obviously more tests that need to be done, but the early indications are that he should be fit to play a full part in all the Ashes Test matches,” Strauss added.
England’s squad contained three uncapped players in 23-year-old Somerset fast bowler Craig Overton, 20-year-old Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane, who will provide support to Moeen Ali, and Surrey wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, 24, included as cover for Jonny Bairstow.
Meanwhile there were recalls for middle-order batsmen James Vince and Gary Ballance despite the pair’s struggles during their previous Test stints.
Overton got his chance ahead of the likes of Mark Wood and Steven Finn after taking 43 Championship wickets this season.
This has been Root’s first season as Test captain, with the Yorkshire batsman overseeing home series wins against South Africa (3-1) and West Indies (2-1). But England national selector James Whitaker said: “A tour of Australia is the ultimate test for our squad.”
England squad: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Chris Woakes.
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