MICHAEL VAUGHAN claims the ECB covered for Ben Stokes after the England all-rounder went partying until 3am during a recent Test in Manchester.
Stokes and Alex Hales have been banned from playing for England until “further notice” as police investigate their apparent involvement in a Bristol brawl.
The ECB's decision plunged Stokes' Ashes hopes into further doubt, with England unlikely to select the brilliant all-rounder with charges hanging over him.
Former Ashes-winning skipper Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 live: "A story came out this week that Ben Stokes was out until 3am during a Test match in Manchester.
"I knew that at the time, it was the talk of the media centre. The story was ripped out of the newspapers, it wasn't allowed to go in, they fought tooth and nail to make sure that story didn't reach the papers - bad PR, looks terrible on Ben Stokes.
"If I knew it and the media knew it how come anything wasn't done to Ben Stokes in the England team?
"When we go on tour, we go to Australia, to India, to Bangladesh, there is a huge amount of security, there is no way in a million years an England player is allowed out.
"They're allowed to go and party, but there is no way they are allowed out on their own at that time of night.
"He's 26 years of age, he should be more mature, he has made a massive mistake and I have no sympathy for Ben Stokes whatsoever.
"But the management of the England team have to look at themselves in the mirror and say, 'Hang on a minute, could we have done a bit more, could we have been a bit stricter?'.
"I am not saying I want a headmaster and have a curfew and say ,'You have got to be in your room by 11pm and you can never drink'.
"But there is a time and a place and I just think now, with what has gone on this week, the culture of cricket has to change quickly."
The all-rounder — also set to be axed as vice-skipper — has been named in England's initial Ashes squad.
But he broke a hand in the fight and faces a battle to be fit for the First Test in Australia.
Shocking footage acquired by The Sun shows Stokes, 26, thumping two men during the brawl in Bristol at 2.35am on Monday September 25.
He was arrested for suspected actual bodily harm and released without charge while police investigate, with Stokes due in Bristol to be re-interviewed this week.
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Strauss had threatened to fine or suspend players while head coach Trevor Bayliss blasted his team as “unprofessional” and is considering an Ashes curfew.
It is almost inconceivable that Stokes can remain as captain Joe Root’s deputy for the tour and he could also be fined.
As revealed by SunSport, Stokes had an X-ray on the Tuesday after the fight which showed a fracture to the side of his right hand just below the little finger.
Medics say the recovery time is around six weeks, meaning he will miss some of the warm-up games but should be fit for the First Test in Brisbane on November 23.
But Stokes' ban means that his participation is now in major doubt whether he recovers or not.
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