Ben Stokes will be permitted to play international cricket once again
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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have given all-rounder Ben Stokes the green light to play for England, even though he was charged with affray.
Stokes was charged with affray by the Crown Prosecution Service for his involvement in a street fight outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol in September last year and will have to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Following the charge, the ECB announced that they would hold a meeting and discuss whether Stokes should be eligible for selection.
While Stokes miss the Ashes due to the incident, he has now been cleared to feature in the upcoming T20 tri-series involving England, Australia and New Zealand. He will also be allowed to represent England during their tour of New Zealand.
“Following a full Board discussion, in which all considerations were taken into account, the ECB Board has agreed that Ben Stokes should now be considered for England selection,” a statement from the ECB said.
“Given the CPS decision to charge him and two others with affray, confirmation of his intention to contest the charge and the potential length of time to trial, the Board agreed that it would not be fair, reasonable or proportionate for Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period.
“To date, Stokes has been unavailable for selection throughout the Police and CPS process around the incident in Bristol in September, a period which has included One-Day Internationals against West Indies, the Ashes tour and the start of the ODI series against Australia.
“ECB fully respects the legal process and the player’s intention to defend himself against the charge.
“England Selectors, management and players have been informed and Ben Stokes is expected to join the squad in New Zealand for February’s T20 matches.
“ECB confirmed in December that the independent Cricket Discipline Commission [CDC] would stay the internal disciplinary process for both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until the conclusion of court proceedings relating to the incident.”