BEN STOKES has been picked for The Ashes campaign despite breaking his hand in a brawl.
The shamed cricket superstar suffered a broken right hand in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub.
England chiefs have launched a probe which could lead to Stokes being sacked as vice-captain and other team-mates facing disciplinary action.
Stokes, 26, spent a night in police cells after being arrested on suspicion of assault after a 27-year-old man was hospitalised with facial injuries.
The Durham all-rounder had an X-ray on his right hand yesterday which confirmed the fracture.
Stokes might also have to miss all of the Ashes tour if Avon and Somerset Police press charges and he faces a court trial.
He already faces being stripped of the vice-captaincy as the fall-out from his arrest plunged the Ashes tour into crisis.
Strauss, head coach Trevor Bayliss and the rest of the management were discussing last night whether Stokes should be sacked as Joe Root’s deputy.
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There is a precedent – Andrew Flintoff was dumped as vice-captain because of the infamous ‘Fredalo’ incident at the 2007 World Cup when he drunkenly took a pedalo to sea.
Other England players could also be sucked into the scandal.
Strauss will demand to know the whereabouts of players after the game on Sunday and what time they returned to the team hotel.
Root’s Ashes squad was announced on Wednesday and the party is due to fly to Australia on October 28, with the First Test in Brisbane on November 23.
Cops were called to a “disorder” in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol at about 2.35am on Monday.
The 26-year-old all-rounder was arrested outside the Mbargo nightclub on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and later released under investigation.
Stokes had been drinking and partying following England’s 124-run victory in the third ODI against the Windies on Sunday.
Stokes’ England team-mate Alex Hales has voluntarily returned to Bristol to help police with their inquiries and also misses today’s Oval ODI so Kent’s Sam Billings has been called up to the squad.
England’s white-ball captain Eoin Morgan said: “It has been a bit of a distraction,” while an ECB statement confirmed “Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, following an incident in Bristol.
“He was held overnight and released under investigation - without charge - late on Monday and will not join the team in London.
“Hales, who was with Stokes on Sunday night, did not train this morning and has returned voluntarily to Bristol today to help police with their inquiries.
“We cannot offer further detail at this stage but will provide any updates when we can.”
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