Ben Stokes' former coach David Saker says the under-fire England star is a "good man" but won't weigh in on the incident which could cost the allrounder his place in the Ashes squad.
Stokes has been suspended from international cricket after video emerged which allegedly shows him throwing punches in a street fight in Bristol on Monday.
Saker, Australia's stand-in coach in India, mentored Stokes while in charge of England's bowlers.
"I know Ben personally, I think he's a good man but I'm not going to comment on something in the English rooms," Saker said.
"It's their decision to make and we'll just concentrate on making sure we play well for the rest of this series."
The England and Wales Cricket Board have suspended Stokes and teammate Alex Hales, who was with him during the incident, until further notice.
Stokes is a potential match-winner and his absence would severely damage England's chances of retaining the Ashes.
"They have to deal with that themselves," Saker said.
Saker was England bowling coach during Stokes' first tour of Australia where the hosts scored a 5-0 whitewash in 2013-14.
Stokes, who broke a finger in the incident, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and then released without charge under investigation on Monday.
It's not the first time Stokes has courted controversy.
In June last year, Stokes was caught speeding for the fourth time and warned a further offence within the next six months could lead to a prison sentence.
He broke his right hand after punching a locker after being dismissed while on tour in the West Indies in 2014.
Stokes was also sent home from an England Lions tour to Australia in 2013 for breaking team rules around drinking despite an earlier warning.
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