Stokes' victim an ex-soldier

The man allegedly punched by England cricket team vice-captain Ben Stokes is a former British Army soldier who served in Afghanistan, the Daily Telegraph revealed.

Stokes is being investigated over accusations of causing actual bodily harm following an incident outside a night club in the early hours of Monday morning in the southwest city of Bristol.

The 26-year-old -- who was suspended by England along with teammate Alex Hales on Thursday, a day after video footage of the incident was published by the Sun newspaper -- is accused of punching Ryan Hale, also 26.

Stokes's place on the tour of Australia hangs in the balance and the all-rounder's absence would deal a serious blow to the tourists' hopes of retaining the Ashes.

Hale's mother -- with whom he lives -- told the Daily Telegraph her son is not an 'aggressive type' adding that the former soldier "is not OK and it is not something that happens on a daily basis".