Not going whilst under investigation. Once the outcome of that is known then a final decision will be made. If no charges are made then he'll travel at a later date I'd imagine.
Correct decision sadly. He couldn't even claim self defence as he carried on battering the fella when he was laid out on the floor so intensely that even his mate knew he'd overstepped the mark. With loss of sponsors, and possibly losing ECB and IPL work it's been brandished about he could lose out on two million quid. Lots for him to think about.
Jeez. Not a cricket fan but hells bells. We are becoming so puffy as a nation. So foooking PC it's becoming sickly. He's a young guy that goes out gets too much to drink and has a fight. That's been happening for 100s maybe 1000s of years. The top sports men are usually not very nice people - they are aggressive and selfish- that's how they get to the top.
I actually think if we can draw the first test, we've a chance to nip the series, our batting is garbage at the top and gets better down the order, the last trip should hopefully inspire them to hit them harder. Two very flaky teams who can be atrocious on a bad day, hopefully we're less crap than they are.
Vice captain of the national team and even if he was provoked or defending someone he has a responsibility to behave and conduct in a certain way and also not to be out until silly o'clock. He is not Mr John Smith the factory worker He is in a privileged position and also an easy target to provocation..yes he should have a social life but he should also know how to conduct himself.
Australia are no great shakes at the minute. They have recently drawn a test series with the minnows of test cricket Bangladesh. One of their better fast bowlers Pattinson has been ruled out of the ashes through injury. Their 2 best batsmen Smith and Warner havn't been as consistent over the last 6 months either. I'd have argued we were the stronger team going into the ashes with Stokes in it. I'd consider that without him it would be 50/50
Our better players- Cook Root Bairstow Stokes (if available) Broad (with the ball not the bat) Anderson Moeen Ali is in the balance for me- he could be a worldy with bat or ball on his day but it depends on the day. Same applies with Woakes but he is a steady eddie type. That leaves 4 or 5 places where the likes of Stoneman/Ballance/Malan/Vince/Ball/Overton and Finn need to step up as we cannot keep relying on the dependable players to keep getting scores or taking wickets. God help us if any of those get injured or ill. Aussies better players- Warner Smith Starc Hazelwood Cummins Lyon Their batting looks weak if we get the main two out cheaply however their quick bowlers are very quick and also Nathan Lyon has taken a lot of wickets as their main spin bowler in the last year or two. It will be close but an England test team is better with Ben Stokes in it than out of it.
Of course.... Australia don't have a Stokes nor importantly an Ali. Broad and Anderson are probably the best opening pair of bowlers in world cricket (despite Anderson's age). There's nothing to fear from this Australian team, even without Stokes.
He should be serving a prison sentence if convicted, like any other idiot from whatever social class who committed the same.
