SYDNEY: Suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes was included on
Thursday in England’s squad for their One-day International series
against Australia, with coach Trevor Bayliss bracing for “a circus” if
he is cleared to play.
Stokes is currently banned from
international cricket while British authorities probe his alleged
involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub, and it
remained in doubt whether he would play.
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 Jan 14.
Selectors said in a statement they were advised to name their strongest squad, and picked the pair accordingly.
“Both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes are included, though their
involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary
developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September,” they
said.
Bayliss admitted Stokes’ potential appearance in Australia could be a distraction for the team.
“Whenever
he comes back that’s going to be a bit of a circus for sure,” he told
reporters after England lost the second Test in Adelaide on Wednesday.
“Whether
it’s any more of a circus than it’s already been, it’s hard to say. If
it happens, let’s just get on with it and take it on the chin.”
He added: “We’ve got to adjust to that at some stage.”
New
Zealand-born Stokes did not travel to Australia with the rest of the
squad for the Ashes series, and has missed the first two in Brisbane and
Adelaide, with England losing both.
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.
British
detectives late last month passed a file to the Crown Prosecution
Service for a decision, but there has been no word since.
“I’ve got absolutely no idea. Still waiting for the police report,”
said Bayliss when asked if he expected Stokes to play in the Ashes.
The
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in their statement on
Thursday that once they receive formal confirmation on whether Stokes
has been charged or not, they would meet within 48 hours to decide the
next step.
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 the ODI series held in England at
the end of the British summer.
“With around 18 months to
the start of the 2019 World Cup, our ODI side continues to make solid
progress with series wins over the West Indies and South Africa last
summer and a semi-final berth in the Champions Trophy,” said selector
James Whitaker.
“The forthcoming series against
Australia presents another significant opportunity for this group to
showcase their skills and talent against a quality side away from home.”
Squad:
Eoin Morgan (captain), 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.
ODI series schedule:
Jan 14: First ODI, Melbourne
Jan 19: Second ODI, Brisbane
Jan 21: Third ODI, Sydney
Jan 26: Fourth ODI, Adelaide
Jan 28: Fifth ODI, Optus Stadium, Perth.
