India vs England | Missing last winter’s Ashes in Australia is punishment enough for Ben Stokes, says Michael Vaughan
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has stated that English cricketer Ben Stokes has been punished enough over the last 11 months since a late-night excursion in Bristol. He added that Stokes’ exclusion from the English side during last winter’s Ashes in Australia was a substantial punishment.
Stokes was arrested by Avon and Somerset police on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and had spent a night in the custody before being released under investigation without charge. Fellow team-mate Alex Hales, who was present at the time of the incident, was understood to be a witness as the case continued for the past 11 months. However, a jury on Tuesday decided that Stokes was not guilty as was his co-defendant Ryan Ali who had been knocked unconscious in the brawl. Later on, the two English cricketers were told that they might face a charge of disrepute by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which will be heard by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) chaired by Tim O’Gorman, a qualified solicitor.
However, Vaughan tweeted that Stokes was punished enough over that last few months considering his absence from England’s squad during the last Ashes series in Australia. He felt that Stokes should now be given a chance after being proven not-guilty.
I think the fact he missed the whole of the Winter in Australia is punishment enough for Ben Stokes .. I personally think now he has been proven to be Not Guilty he should be allowed to play ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 14, 2018
Stokes’ England team-mate Jonny Bairstow, one of several players who were out with Stokes earlier that evening, said it was a great news on both a personal and sporting front and hoped to see the 27-year-old back in England’s squad as soon as possible.
“I am really happy as it has been a long 10 months for him and his family. Hopefully, we will see him back in an English shirt soon as we saw the impact he had at Edgbaston (against India),” Bairstow told Sky Sports.
Stokes later earned a recall to the squad for the third Test, though the ECB statement included the details of the disciplinary process which would take place later on.
“Now the legal proceedings have concluded, the disciplinary process for Ben Stokes and Alex Hales can be scheduled by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC). Considerable detail has been heard in the week-long court case and, in due course, there will be a range of matters for the Board to fully consider,” read the statement.