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07-Dec-2017 04:19:00 GMT
England in Australia 2017-18

Stokes and Hales included in England ODI squad

London: Suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes was included Thursday in England's squad for their one-day series against Australia, although whether he plays remains in doubt.

Stokes is currently banned from international cricket while British authorities probe his alleged involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub.

Batsman Alex Hales, who was caught up in the same fracas, was also named in the 16-man squad for the five-game series, starting in Melbourne on January 14.

Selectors said in a statement they were advised to name their strongest squad, and included the pair accordingly.

New Zealand-born Stokes did not travel to Australia with the rest of the squad for the Ashes Test series, and has missed the first two in Brisbane and Adelaide, with England losing both of them.

But speculation that he is preparing for a dramatic call-up was fuelled by his decision to sign with New Zealand provincial side Canterbury as their overseas player in late November.

In his first limited overs match for his birth province against Otago, he was bowled for two.

He did better against Auckland on Wednesday, hitting 34 from 41 deliveries as he shakes off the rust.

Stokes could yet return mid-series to the Ashes if police decide not to charge him.

England one-day squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

British detectives late last month passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision, but there has been no word since.

The England Cricket Board said in their statement Thursday that once they receive formal confirmation on whether he has been charged or not, they would meet within 48 hours to decide on whether he plays.

Hales, an opener who has not played any professional cricket since the September nightclub incident, learned this week that he will face no criminal charges, opening the door for his trip to Australia.

In addition to Stokes and Hales, Kent batsman Sam Billings and Durham seamer Mark Wood were added to the squad that beat the West Indies 4-0 in England at the end of the British summer.


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