And on that cheerful note, I'm going to take my leave.

We'll be back at 12:00 to bring you some actual cricket, when England face West Indies in the fourth ODI at The Oval.

Thanks for your company - in a bit!

Steve Michelin: In terms of form and experience there are question marks over no less than 10 of the 17 in that squad. Not good

Josh Emden: The strongest 6 through 9 in the world. A strong edge around which to build our core

The results of our vote are in. We asked you should Ben Stokes play in the Ashes?

• Yes, of course he should - 65%
• Yes, but strip him of the vice-captaincy - 29%
• No, not after what has happened - 6%

More from Andrew strauss: "Mine and Trevor Bayliss' instinct is to give responsibility to players both on and off the field. He believes that attitude creates a harmonious environment which enables performance.

"I think that philosophy is a sound one. When things like this happen, you have to take a step back and go are we doing everything right? We've got nothing to hide here. We don't want to see this type of incident happening in the future."

Teddy Hale: No Rashid in the Ashes squad, leading wicket taker in India this summer! Not sure the selectors have thought that one through.

Aidan Twomey‏: Do we really need 17 cricketers in Ashes squad? Going to be a lot of thumb twiddling down under.

Presumably, someone like Mason Crane will be sent to play with the Lions if he's not being selected? They announce their team next week - you'd expect Mark Wood to be included in that one.

Good cross-sport references from our Match of the Day man here...

Andrew Strauss, speaking on Sky Sports: "The reality is, I'm just beginning to get a picture as to what went on on Sunday night. There is a formal disciplinary process that is in the player's conditions of employment.

"For him and anyone else who might be subject to it, that process will happen. It's not going to happen prior to the end of this series. It's important we give ourselves time to do it properly. It would be wrong of me to prejudge that."

Meanwhile, in actual cricket news, Worcestershire have been promoted!

Northants have dropped bonus points, meanings that the Pears are promoted for the sixth time in 15 seasons. In Division One, James Hildreth has hit a ton for Somerset. Oh, what could have been...

You can follow all the action over on our live blog.

Well...

Australia drew their recent two-match Test series in Bangladesh. A batting collapse cost them a 10 wicket defeat in the first game, but they looked more confident chasing in the second, which they won.

Nathan Lyon was in particularly good form, with the spinner finishing the series with 22 wickets to his name.

Much like England, I'm not sure Australia know what their best side is, either. They have some similar problems at the top and in the middle of the order.

Right now, though, Australia are in India. They've just lost the ODI series 3-0 with two games to spare. I'm saying nothing.

Image source, Getty Images

More from Mark Stoneman: "I've spent quite a bit of time in Australia with my wife being Australian but this is something completely new. It's the pinnacle of Test cricket, the Ashes, the history of it, some of the greatest games in history have been Ashes tests so I just can't wait to get stuck in."

And wicketkeeper Ben Foakes: "I'm just a bit shocked still, it hasn't sunk in at all. From when I got the phone call to now I haven't processed it properly so I'm just a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

"As a kid, the Ashes are the one you watch and the one that takes the most interest and to know that I'll be out there with this bloke [Mark Stoneman] will be a bit special."

Both players got the news when they were on their way to the Man City match last night.

Here's an update on Alex Hales. There is an ODI on today, after all...

Andy Hood: So I guess being the leading wicket taker in the country doesn't count for much?

Hans Pinkard: Re: Jamie O's lovely tweet (10:25) - It's especially so given he's been so close to selection himself that most thought he'd be first.

Mark Stoneman, speaking to BBC Radio London after his Ashes call-up: "I've just sort of scratched the surface really, and had a taste of it, and once you get a part of it, it just leaves you wanting more.

"The dressing room's a fantastic place to be, some fantastic lads in there and a pretty relaxed setup. We know what's required from us and the standards are pretty high, but outside of that it's quite relaxed and allows you to go about your work."

Here's two fellas who are very pleased with themselves today...

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Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live

If Ben Stokes is charged, it’s difficult to see him going on this tour.

The wheels do tend to work fairly slowly, it’s possible that this could be delayed for a while. But bear in mind, if Stokes does everything England ask of him this winter, he’s not due back again until 4 April.

So, if there is an issue and a court appearance in that time, he could be recalled from the tour.

As previously discussed, Ben Stokes will remain as vice-captain, "pending disciplinary procedures".

Danny Williams: Why, oh why call up Vince and Ballance when England haven't picked them to play this summer? I fear a whitewash!

Elliot: Hales, Buttler, Rashid, Plunkett and Wood would be better than Vince, Foakes, Crane, Overton and Ball. Underwhelming.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live

I think this is one of the weakest squads I've seen. The dilemma facing the selectors has been known for months and the scale of the top order batting problem is laid bare.

James Vince returns after an unspectacular summer in county cricket and a run of seven tests last year that produced an average of 19. He’s expected to bat at three. Gary Ballance is averaging 19 from his last 12 Tests, he’s pressing Dawid Malan - averaging 23 from five Tests for number five.

Mark Wood was considered unfit, Craig Overton who is more of a Toby Roland-Jones replacement was preferred to Liam Plunkett’s genuine pace, and Mason Crane’s selection ahead of Jack Leach as the back-up spinner to Moeen Ali will also be viewed as a gamble.

Here's Guardian journalist Will MacPherson on James Vince's recall.

News from The Oval - Ben Stokes has a "minor fracture" of his right hand but, according to Andrew Strauss, he's expected to be fit to take a full part in the Ashes.