Ashes 2017/18: Alex Hales Cleared For England Selection

Alex Hales miseries seem to have ended as he been given a green signal by the police and will face no charges for the bar brawl in September. Hales is no longer being treated as a suspect or a witness for the incidence. No decision has yet been made over Ben Stokes case. The two were suspended by the ECB and were under investigation for causing actual bodily harms to a 27-year-old man outside a bar after England’s win against West Indies in Bristol. Stokes was arrested by the police next day but was released.

Hales is now eligible to play in the inaugural T10 league in Dubai before Christmas as he has been granted No Objection Certificate and is most likely to be picked for the ODI and T20 series against Australia which follows the Ashes.

An ECB official said on Hales:

 “Alex Hales will now be considered for England selection, following confirmation that he is no longer a suspect in relation to an incident in Bristol in September. The ECB Board has convened via conference call to make the decision after being informed that Hales is deemed a witness and will face no charges.”

“The independent Cricket Discipline Commission [CDC] has stayed the internal disciplinary process for both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until the conclusion of any potential criminal proceedings relating to the incident. Players, England selectors and the England management team have all been informed.”

“ECB has also approved a formal request for a ‘No Objection Certificate’ [NOC] to allow Hales to play in the inaugural T10 Cricket League in Dubai from December 21-24.” 

On the other hand, Ben Stokes is still waiting for a decision to be made on his case and is playing in New Zealand for Canterbury currently. Stokes played his first match in three months on Sunday but managed to score just two and went wicketless. Stokes is most likely to be picked for the limited-overs squad following the Test series.