'Lessons must be learned from Stokes situation' - Roland-Jones

Toby Roland-Jones has become the first current England player to speak publicly since Ben Stokes' arrest for alleged assault in Bristol on Monday, saying that there are lessons to be learned both for England's players and management in the wake of the incident.

Fast bowler Roland-Jones, who was omitted from England's Ashes squad on Wednesday after suffering a stress fracture of the lower back, said that the challenge of being a high-profile figure in the age of social media was something that all sportspeople needed to be aware of, after video footage emerged that allegedly shows Stokes throwing punches at two men outside a nightclub.

And for Roland-Jones, who made his England Test debut this summer and so has been privy to a dressing-room culture that encourages the players to take responsibility for themselves on and off the field, the Stokes incident is a warning of how quickly events can escalate if players are not on their guard at all times.

"I think it's a timely reminder," Roland-Jones told BBC Five Live. "These days with phones, social media and the access that people have, at any time when you are in the public domain, you are there to be seen and recognised, particularly someone as high-profile as Ben is in our sport."

England's coach, Trevor Bayliss, has expressed his disappointment that both Stokes and Alex Hales were still out drinking at 2.35am, midway through an international series, but the England management is understood to be reluctant to impose curfews on their players, for fear of blunting their freedom of expression.

"It breeds a culture in sport of self-governing within the dressing-room, on and off the field, and I think that has really aided this England team, certainly from the little I've experienced of it," said Roland-Jones. "I think the key thing is firstly timing, and knowing that if you drink too much that can impact your performance and preparation, and that is in no way accepted by the management.

"But when you are celebrating a series win, or enjoying casual beers in the dressing room, that breeds I think a really positive culture as well. But there's a line there and unfortunately in certain instances it becomes pretty black and white when it is crossed.

"It's a difficult one when situations arise like this, because naturally people start to query decisions, but as sportsmen we are adults and at some stage everyone has to be held responsible for their own actions.

"You want to be able to celebrate at the right times but also it's about finding a way of keeping an element of control when you are in the public eye, and knowing that every action can have a repercussion.

"Obviously this is quite an extreme example, but there are different ranges, and guys in the public eye in sport have something to answer to with their actions away from the game. It is something for the guys these days to get used to, and it will take a bit of understanding and potentially a bit of learning from the powers-that-be to make sure guys are ready for that."

Stokes' participation in the Ashes remains a major doubt. On Thursday, he was suspended indefinitely by the ECB, pending a full inquiry, and is expected to be recalled by Avon and Somerset Police for a second interview under caution within the next few days.

And even if he does make it onto the plane to the Ashes, Stokes can expect a tough time both on and off the field, as Roland-Jones conceded.

"We've had various small chats about their media and my little understanding is that they'll certainly try and make a target of him and the most they can out of the situation," he said. "Knowing him a little bit, as I do, I would have no problems about him going over there and still being able to perform and having a massive impact for that England team."