Cricketer Ben Stokes was defending two men from homophobic abuse when he was arrested following an incident in Bristol last month, it has been reported.

Two gay men have claimed Ben Stokes 'as their hero' saying he was defending them from homophobic abuse when he was arrested. The England vice captain could miss The Ashes after he was caught on video raining blows on two men in the street in September.

Stokes will not travel to Australia with the rest of the England squad when they fly out on Saturday as he waits to learn whether he will face criminal charges over this incident.

Kai Barry and Billy O’Connell have told The Sun that Stokes came to their aid by standing up to people who were abusing them. Barry and O'Connell claimed they met Stokes and his England team-mate Alex Hales in a nightclub and had no idea they were cricketers.

It is reported that Stokes and Hales were later walking along the road near the pair after leaving the nightclub when the two men in questioned were subjected to homophobic abuse.

Hales has been helping detectives with their inquiries. Both players have been suspended indefinitely by England.

O'Connell told The Sun: “We were so grateful to Ben for stepping in to help. He was a real hero.

”Kai feared he could be attacked. If Ben hadn't intervened it could have been a lot worse for us.“

Barry added: ”I'm not a fighter and we didn't want a fight. We could've been in real trouble. Ben was a real gentleman.“

Neil Fairbrother, Stokes' agent with International Sports Management, has said the star will offer a full explanation of his actions ”when the time is right“.

O'Connell said he hoped Stokes would get to play in Australia.

"Ben is a really nice guy and I hope he can still play for England in the Ashes," said O'Connell. "It would be awful (if) his career was ruined over this. He was just trying to help defend Kai."