Ashes 2017: England recall James Vince, Gary Ballance; Ben Stokes part of 16-member squad despite arrest

London: Ben Stokes was included in England’s 16-man squad for the Ashes tour of Australia announced Wednesday despite his recent arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

Durham all-rounder Stokes was dropped for Wednesday’s fourth one-day international against West Indies at The Oval after being arrested early on Monday in Bristol following England’s win in the third ODI in the southwest city on Sunday.

The 26-year-old remains under investigation after being released without charge.

England national selector James Whitaker later told the BBC that Stokes would remain in his position of vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root.

Minor fracture

“Ben did have an X-ray yesterday (Tuesday),” said Strauss.

“Early results are that he has got a minor fracture on his right hand,” the former England captain added.

“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.”

The injury to Stokes’ right hand is believed to have been sustained during a confrontation that left a man in hospital.

A police investigation is unlikely to be concluded before England leave for Australia on 28 October, meaning the incident could hang over Stokes for the whole tour.

Moreover, Stokes is just one on-field offence away from incurring a potential two-Test ban under the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct.

England ODI regular Alex Hales – an Ashes long-shot who did not make the Test squad – was also left out of Wednesday’s match after being with Stokes on Sunday night.

The pair could be among several England players who face ECB action, with Strauss saying: “What I am doing is speaking to the players individually to get their accounts of what went on.

“They may be subject to disciplinary proceedings including Ben,” explained Strauss, the last England captain to win the Ashes in Australia in 2010/11.

The 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 spin support to Moeen Ali, and Surrey wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, 24, included as cover for first-choice gloveman 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.

Essex batsman Tom Westley, who failed to convince at number three during this season’s home series against South Africa and West Indies was dropped, while there was no recall for Durham paceman Mark Wood.

Toby Roland-Jones was ruled out following the Middlesex seamer’s recent stress fracture of the back.

Ashes-holders England are due to travel to Australia on October 28, with the first of five Tests against their arch-rivals set to start in Brisbane on 23 November.

England 16-man squad announced Wednesday for the 2017/18 Ashes tour of Australia:

Squad

Alastair Cook (Essex), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire, capt), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey, wkt)

Fixtures

04-05 November 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth

08-11 November 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide

15-18 November: v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)

23-27 November : 1st Test v Australia, Brisbane

02-06 December: 2nd Test v Australia, Adelaide (d/n)

09-10 December: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth

14-18 December: 3rd Test v Australia, Perth

26-30 December: 4th Test v Australia, Melbourne

04-08 January: 5th Test v Australia, Sydney