Stokes and Hales in England one-day squad for Australia

Ben Stokes has been included in England's one-day squad for the five-match series in Australia despite being under suspension. Stokes is currently unable to play for his country pending a decision on whether to charge him in connection with an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub in September. But he has been named in the 16-man squad for the ODI series starting next month after selectors were given "clear guidance to name their strongest squad".

Ben Stokes, Alex Hales named in England squad for ODI series versus Australia. Their involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to Bristol incident. #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/MehWl0Jsca

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 7, 2017

He is joined by Alex Hales, who was also suspended after the Bristol incident but has since been told he can play for England after police confirmed he would not face criminal charges. Both players could yet face disciplinary action by the England and Wales Cricket Board. But with Stokes' situation still not determined, he may not feature in the five-match one-day series, let alone the current Ashes series. The England all-rounder is currently in New Zealand, where he is playing for Canterbury after being granted dispensation by the ECB.

Ben Stokes included in England ODI squad.. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/xhUUbbp7g8

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) December 6, 2017

With no decision yet made on whether to prosecute him, his chances of featuring in the Ashes, which has three tests remaining, are diminishing. "Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Ben Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage," the ECB said. Also in the one-day squad are Kent batsman Sam Billings and Yorkshire's David Willey, who is selected ahead of Essex's Ravi Bopara.

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have both been named in England's ODI squad for the five-match series against Australia, but it remains possible that neither will play https://t.co/yeatRGYhhF

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 7, 2017

The first one-day international is in Melbourne on Jan. 14. England squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)