Stokes to appear in court next month

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Ben Stokes Bristol Magistrates' Court February 13 affray England cricket

Ben Stokes will have to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ international comeback is set to be delayed as he will have to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13.

The Crown Prosecution Service and Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the date of Stokes’ court appearance after he was charged with affray in relation to a street brawl outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol last September.

“The three men charged in connection with a disorder on Queens Road, Bristol on 25 September last year will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 13 February,” the Avon and Somerset Police said on their Twitter account.

“Ben Stokes, 26, of Durham, Ryan Ali, 28 and Ryan Hale, 26, both of Bristol, have each been charged with affray.”

Despite being charged, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to allow Stokes to play international cricket again.

Stokes was picked for the upcoming T20 tri-series involving England, Australia and New Zealand, as well as England’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

“Following a full Board discussion, in which all considerations were taking into account, the ECB Board has agreed that Ben Stokes should now be considered for England selection,” an ECB statement 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.”

However, former England captain Michael Atherton questioned the ECB’s decision to make Stokes eligible for selection, considering that he had only recently been charged with committing a crime.

“It seems illogical in certain respects given that they essentially suspended him for the last two or three months, since the event in Bristol, and are now allowing him to play, even though the CPS decision has still got some time to run,” Atherton told Sky Sports as quoted by cricket.com.au.

“So it’s hard to square the two positions. You’d think there would be some consistency shown all the way through.

“Either you let him play for the past two or three months or you continue with the policy of what has happened up until now, with the effective suspension. It seems illogical to change course at this point and I think most people would find it hard to square the two positions.”

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