Bristol brawl: Ben Stokes, Alex Hales fined but cleared to play for England

England cricketers Ben Stokes and Alex Hales on Friday were fined for the brawl they were involved in at a nightclub last year but have been cleared to compete which makes them available for selection for the series against West Indies.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had charged the duo of bringing dishonour to the game after the brawl in Bristol in September 2017. Both Stokes and Hales had appeared in front of a two-day disciplinary hearing.

Also read: Virat Kohli completes 1,000 runs in Australia, joins an elite list

The panel handed Stokes an eight-match ban. Nonetheless, they took into account the fact that the all-rounder has already missed the exact same number of matches as a result of which, he is ready for selection. He was fined a total of 30,000 pounds ($38,193.00)–the half amount of which he would pay to the charity.

For Hales, it was the same case. The opener who hadn’t faced any criminal charge was cleared for selection after he was given a six-match ban and the right-hander has already missed that many games for England. He was fined 17,500 pounds.

England face West Indies in a three-match Test series, five ODIs and three T20Is, beginning from January to March.