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Police say the investigation into a late-night incident involving England cricketer Ben Stokes has been passed to prosecutors, who must now decide whether to charge the player.
Stokes was arrested in late September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm outside a night club. Video footage showed England’s Test vice-captain throwing punches in a street fight.
Avon and Somerset Police released Stokes while the investigation continued, and said Wednesday that they have “passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service and are now seeking charging advice.”
Stokes has not played cricket since the incident. He was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board but has been given permission to play in New Zealand’s domestic competition this weekend. The 26-year-old landed in Christchurch – the city of his birth – on Wednesday.
Speculation is rampant that he will be called across the Tasman to return for England in the third Ashes Test in Perth starting on December 14.
Canterbury Cricket Association’s board was set to meet late on Wednesday to discuss whether they will sign Stokes on a short-term deal.
The widespread expectation is they will and that Stokes could be facing Otago on Sunday in Rangiora.
England arranged a No Objection Certificate (NOC) last Friday.
New Zealand’s national cricket board is yet to rubber-stamp the arrangement but that is likely to happen if coach Mike Hesson’s comments are any guide.
“From a cricket point of view he’s a world-class player and would add a lot of talent to the competition,” Hesson told reporters on Wednesday.
“Certainly if players perform well against Ben it shows us they’re performing well against the best.
“If it improves the standard of the competition, which I’m sure it will, then great.”
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