Stokes included in Ashes squad

The England vice-captain was named in the 16-man squad for the five-Test series against Australia.

Ben Stokes was named in a 16-man squad for the Ashes tour to Australia after being arrested earlier for an altercation outside a nightclub.

Ben Stokes was included in England's 16-man squad for the Ashes tour of Australia announced on Wednesday despite his recent arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

The Durham all-rounder was dropped for Wednesday's fourth One-Day International against West Indies at The Oval after being arrested early on Monday in Bristol following England's win in the third ODI in the southwest city on Sunday. The 26-year-old remains under investigation after being released without charge.

England national selector James Whitaker later told the

BBC that Stokes would remain in his position of vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root.

The squad contained three uncapped players in 23-year-old Somerset fast bowler Craig Overton, 20-year-old Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane, who will provide spin support to Moeen Ali, and Surrey wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, 24, included as cover for first-choice gloveman Jonny Bairstow.

Meanwhile, there were recalls for middle-order batsmen James Vince and Gary Ballance despite the pair's struggles during their previous Test stints.

Essex batsman Tom Westley, who failed to convince at No. 3 during this season's home series against South Africa and West Indies was dropped, while there was no recall for Durham paceman Mark Wood. Toby Roland-Jones was ruled out following the Middlesex seamer's recent stress fracture of the back.

Ashes-holder England is due to travel to Australia on October 28, with the first of five Tests against its arch-rival set to start in Brisbane on November 23.

Squad Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Chris Woakes. Fixtures Nov 4-5: v Western Australia XI, Perth Nov 8-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n) Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane Dec 2-6: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n) Dec 9-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne Jan 4-8: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney