Scandal-hit England all-rounder Ben Stokes was selected in England’s T20I team that will play a tri-series involving Australia and New Zealand from February 3. Just a week ago, Stokes was not picked in the English team for the five-match ODI series against Australia, starting on January 14.
The maverick all-rounder was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in the infamous street brawl incident outside a nightclub at Bristol on September 25 last year.
Stokes name was withdrawn from England’s Ashes squad given the pending verdict of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage,” said an ECB statement.
Besides, the wicketkeeper batsman Jonny Bairstow and all-rounder Mooen Ali have been rested for the series considering their recent workload. Test skipper Joe Root and Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan were also included in the 16-member squad.
Limited-overs specialists James Vince and Sam Billings brought back into the squad after missing England’s last Twenty20 series against West Indies in September.
Eoin Morgan will lead the England team that will play their first match in the tri-series against Australia on February 7 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
England T2I Squad for Tri-Series:
Eoin Morgan (captain), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.
Itinerary:
Feb 03, Australia vs New Zealand, 1st Match, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Feb 07, Australia vs England, 2nd Match, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Feb 10, Australia vs England, 3rd Match, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Feb 13, New Zealand vs England, 4th Match, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Feb 16, New Zealand vs Australia, 5th Match, Eden Park, Auckland
Feb 18, New Zealand vs England, 6th Match, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Feb 21, TBC vs TBC, Final, Eden Park, Auckland
