Media Advisory: Cricket Discipline Commission – Alex Hales and Ben Stokes

The CDC Disciplinary Panel today announced its decisions in cases brought against Ben Stokes and Alex Hales. The reasons for these decisions will be released in due course.

Both players were charged with two breaches of ECB Directive 3.3. Both players admitted each charge. The Panel held a separate hearing for each player and considered each charge individually.

Alex Hales

In respect of the first charge, relating to the incident in Bristol, the Panel imposes a suspension from playing for England for four white ball matches. It is accepted that Mr Hales has already missed two of these matches.

The remaining two matches will be suspended for a period of 12 months from the date of the hearing.

The Panel also imposes a fine of £7,500, of which £4,500 is suspended for a period of 12 months from the date of the hearing.

If Mr Hales commits any further serious breach of cricketing regulations within that 12 month period then at the discretion of the CDC the suspended elements of this penalty will be imposed.

In respect of the second charge, relating to inappropriate images, the Panel imposes a suspension of playing for England for two white ball matches. This penalty is suspended for 12 months from the date of the hearing.

The Panel also imposes a fine of £10,000, of which £5,500 is suspended for a period of 12 months from the date of the hearing.

As a condition of the suspension of elements of this penalty Mr Hales must undertake, at his own cost and within three months, appropriate training, as agreed and approved by the ECB. If he does not do so, or if he commits any further serious breach of cricketing regulations within that 12 month period then at the discretion of the CDC the suspended elements of this penalty will be imposed.

These penalties will apply cumulatively. Therefore, in total Mr Hales receives a six match ban from England white ball matches, of which two matches have already been missed and four remain are suspended. He therefore remains eligible for immediate selection. Mr Hales is fined a total of £17,500, of which £10,000 is suspended.

The Panel makes no order as to costs. Each party will bear their own costs.

Ben Stokes

In respect of the first charge, relating to the incident in Bristol, the Panel imposes a ban from playing for England for six matches. It is accepted that Mr Stokes has already missed these matches.

The Panel also imposes a fine of £15,000.

In respect of the second charge, relating to the inappropriate video, the Panel imposes a ban of playing for England for two matches. It is accepted that Mr Stokes has already missed these matches.

The Panel also imposes a fine of £15,000 which should be paid to a suitable charity or charities.

These penalties apply cumulatively. Therefore, in total Mr Stokes receives an eight match ban from England matches. He has already missed these matches and therefore remains eligible for immediate selection. Mr Stokes is fined a total of £30,000.

The Panel makes no order as to costs. Each party will bear their own costs.

In reaching these decisions the Disciplinary Panel took into account the complex circumstances surrounding these events including the considerable legal expenses already incurred by both players.