ASHES TOUR
Impact of Ben Stokes’s absence laid bare in Gabba defeat
Brisbane — England did their best to shrug off the omission of Ben Stokes from the Ashes tour squad but the world-class all-rounder’s absence was felt keenly by the tourists in their 10-wicket defeat by Australia at the Gabba. Stokes has been suspended since he was arrested on suspicion of causing bodily harm outside a Bristol nightclub in September and police continue to investigate the incident. News that Stokes had flown to New Zealand, his country of birth, fanned speculation he could be set for a recall, despite England’s cricket board saying the trip was "private" and not Ashes-related. Australian media suspect it could be part of a plan to parachute him into the team for the third Test in Perth if the result of the police investigation comes out beforehand. For all the headlines and attention a Stokes recall might generate, England would probably welcome him back with open arms, particularly after their struggles with bat and ball in the series opener in Brisbane. For two day...
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