ECB and English team management have come to decision to withdraw all-rounder Ben Stokes from the upcoming ODI series against Australia, following the completion of the Ashes series.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is still to give their verdict on charging Ben Stokes on his role in the brawl outside a pub in Bristol. ECB had named Stokes in the ODI squad in December, but on the condition that his availability will depend on the outcome of the police investigation.

Dawid Malan is likely to be named as Stokes’ replacement in the ODI side. England are trailing 3-0 in the 5 match Ashes series, with one match to go.

The incident outside the Bristol brawl (the Mbargo nightclub in the Clifton area) also involved England opener Alex Hales and the investigation cost Stokes his place in the last two ODIs against West Indies and in the Ashes squad. There has been no update on whether Stokes would be charged or not since.

Stokes was arrested in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm then released on bail. Avon and Somerset police completed their investigation and submitted the file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for charging Stokes. Police confirmed that a 27 year-old man suffered a broken eye socket in the brawl.

The ODI series between Australia and England begins in Melbourne on January 14, after which the teams will play a T20I series before England embark on their tour of New Zealand.