Sunday 1 October 2017 11:21, UK
Moeen Ali insists England can win the Ashes with or without Ben Stokes.
Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after an incident in Bristol in the early hours of Monday morning and video footage emerged which appeared to show him involved in a brawl.
The ECB has announced Stokes will not be considered for England selection until further notice, and Ali insists England can cope without his fellow all-rounder when the series begins on November 23.
Asked if England can win without Stokes, Ali said: "Yes, otherwise I feel there's no point in going out there."
He added: "If he's not there, then we're going to have to play well without him [but] I definitely feel we can still win."
Stokes was released without charge but has been asked to travel to Bristol in the next seven days to be interviewed under caution by detectives investigating the events.
Avon and Somerset police released a statement on Friday asking for witnesses to come forward.
England named Stokes in their Ashes squad on Wednesday despite the 26-year-old's arrest, and Ali admitted Stokes' availability would boost England's chances for the series win in Australia.
"I think we all know how good a cricketer he is, and what he can bring to the table," Ali added.
"He's one of the main players we have, and it would be great to have him out there ... but we'll see what happens."
Ali is expecting Australia's fast bowlers to try and unsettle him with short-pitched deliveries during the Ashes series later this year but the left-hander is confident he can survive the ordeal.
The elegant stroke-maker averages almost 35 from his 44 tests, often stitching together valuable partnerships lower down the order for England.
But the 30-year-old, who also bowls off-spin, has been accused of possessing a batting technique that can be exposed by short-pitched bowling.
"It's something I've been working on and I'm looking forward to it," Ali said. "I feel when you get in, it's a good place to bat. The ball doesn't swing as much and hopefully whatever number I come in, I can express myself.
"I'm going to have to change a couple of things about the way I play but in terms of mindset, I'll just go and do what I normally do."
