Cleared Stokes fuels fiery debate about his future

England star Ben Stokes may have been cleared of affray but former cricket luminaries while agreeing his behaviour was well below that expected of a man seen by many as a role model are divided as to whether he should face further punishment.

The 27-year-old New Zealand-born all-rounder faces an internal disciplinary enquiry by the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) following his acquittal by unanimous decision of a jury yesterday.

Former Derbyshire batsman and qualified solicitor Tim O'Gorman is heading the investigation.

Stokes's team-mate Alex Hales -- who was with him during the late night brawl outside a club in Bristol, southwest England, last September but was not charged -- will also face the enquiry.

However, former England captains Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain whilst both abhorring his behaviour are at odds with each other as to whether he should be punished further.

"With a not-guilty verdict, the way forward seems, to me, to be clear enough and should not involve further punishment," Atherton writes in The Times.

Atherton, who captained England in 54 of his 115 Test matches, conceded Stokes's heavy drinking that night and what ensued afterwards "is not exactly acceptable behaviour for an England player during international duty".

"There are clauses in an England cricketer's contract -- such as bringing the game into disrepute -- that could yet result in punishment," the 50-year-old commented.

"Although Stokes was never formally suspended from the England team, his non-selection for the Ashes came about clearly as a result of the events in Bristol.

"He missed the most high-profile series in which an England cricketer can play, essentially a six-month ban." Hussain, capped 96 times and captained England 45 times till stepping down from the post in 2003, argued differently saying the images caught on CCTV cannot just be ignored and the governing body the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have to act.

"Some people would argue that Ben Stokes has had it tough, and has served his time in missing the Ashes, but I see it differently," he told The Daily Mail.

"The ECB should not now take the easy option.

"It is far too serious an issue, and the footage far too serious, for people to think about moving on and brushing things under the carpet."
- 'Doesn't everyone?' -
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"I have witnessed this at close quarters when playing alongside Ian Botham."