Ben Stokes and Alex Hales to get ECB central contracts renewed

• All-rounder and batsman get new deals but Stokes doubt for Ashes place
• Australia’s James Pattinson out of series with back injuryBen Stokes and Alex Hales will see their central contracts renewed by England this week but the former’s hopes of being part of the winter’s Ashes defence continue to hang in the balance.Deals for England’s international teams that cover the 2017-18 period will be announced on Friday and though the pair remain suspended indefinitel