Ben Stokes will not travel to Australia with the rest of the England squad for the Ashes, the ECB have confirmed. All-rounder Stokes, who is currently under police investigation having been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm last month, has been suspended indefinitely alongside teammate Alex Hales and both aren't being considered for selection in any format of the game until further notice. The ECB are yet to make a final decision on Stokes' involvement in this winter's tour Down Under but, if he does feature, the 26-year-old will travel later.Middlesex seamer Steven Finn has been added to the squad and will travel with the rest of the side for the five-match Test series later this month. Both Stokes and Hales have, however, been retained on central contracts with director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss confirming the news on Friday. “With the Ashes just around the corner, it’s important to give the players, the coaching staff and supporters some clarity around a complex situation," he said. “This decision will help us in the weeks ahead and give every player and the whole England set-up the best chance to focus on the challenge ahead in Australia. “Steven is a high-quality cricketer, with considerable experience of both international cricket and Australian conditions. The selectors believe he will add to the range of options and the squad will be further supported by the arrival of the Lions in Australia in November.”“We have spoken to Ben and assured him that our decision in no way prejudges the outcome of the ongoing police investigation or Cricket Discipline Commission process, as can be seen by the award of central contracts. “On these, I would like to congratulate all of those who have received England contracts for 2017/18, ahead of a busy year of international cricket.” In a separate matter, the ECB has also fined and issued a written warning to Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball and Liam Plunkett following a disciplinary investigation into behaviour during the recent one-day series against West Indies.

Argentina are in peril of missing their first World Cup since 1970 after they were held to a 0-0 draw against Peru.

Even a sell-out home crowd in Buenos Aires' La Bombonera was not enough to rally Lionel Messi's side, who slipped further from qualifying places.

Manager Jorge Sampaoli granted Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto his first full debut alongside Papu Gomez up front, although still it was not enough to invigorate the struggling teamTheir World Cup fate is now out of their hands and they now need other results to go their way if they are to book their place in Russia next summer.

There is one final round of qualifying left for CONMEBOL teams – and here is how it all breaks down.Argentina have it all to do in their final match, against Ecuador. If they win their final match they are guaranteed a playoff space, and would go through automatically if their rivals Brazil avoid defeat to Chile. A draw would also be good enough to go straight through if there is a winner in the Peru match, Chile lose by two or Paraguay fail to win.

Argentina can still lose and reach the playoffs, providing Peru suffer an even heavier defeat and Paraguay fail to win.