Ben Stokes could yet play in the Ashes after it’s revealed street fight came as he defended men suffering homophobic abuse

BEN STOKES’ hopes of playing in this winter’s Ashes are not over yet.

The Sun today reveals he acted to DEFEND two revellers who were suffering homophobic abuse outside a Bristol bar.

However, captain Root says he and the England team will prepare as though all-rounder Stokes, 26, will miss all five Tests against the Aussies.

Root, whose squad will jet Down Under today, said: “I think we have to plan as if Ben is not going to be there for the whole series.

“It’s an ongoing investigation and we’re very much in the dark as to what’s happening. So we have to make sure we plan as if this is the squad.”

England chief Andrew Strauss and an ECB disciplinary commission are waiting to see if police charge Stokes for his part in the brawl on September 25.

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The Durham star, who broke a finger in the incident, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and released under investigation.

But ROOT still believes England can overturn the odds and win the Ashes despite the possible absence of Ben Stokes.

Stokes will not be on today’s flight to Australia with the rest of the England team as he waits to learn his fate in the wake of the Bristol punch-up scandal.

Skipper Root is clearly angry with Stokes, 26, although he might be more sympathetic in light of today’s revelations in The Sun the England all-rounder was defending two drinkers who were the subject of homophobic abuse.

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Although Root wants to support a friend he has known since their early teens, there is no doubt he feels badly let down by vice-captain Stokes.

The pair have spoken several times this month at the weddings of three England players — including Stokes’ himself — and Root said: “It’s disappointing he’s not going but you have to move on as a team.

“He’s obviously very disappointed but I cannot speak for him, you’d have to ask him all these questions.”