Ben Stokes: “I have decided that it would not be right to join my teammates until after attending court on the 13th”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has announced that he will be postponing his international comeback until after he appears in court.

Stokes has to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13 after being charged with affray in relation to a street fight outside the Mbargo nightclub in Bristol last September.

Despite being charged, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cleared the 26-year-old to represent the national team in the upcoming T20 tri-series, which also involves Australia and New Zealand.

However, Stokes has opted to stay in England and appear in court in person.

As has been confirmed in the media a first hearing date at court has been set for 13th February. In the circumstances, I have decided that it would not be right to join my teammates until after attending court on the 13th

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 22, 2018

“As has been confirmed in the media a first hearing date at court has been set for 13th February,” Stokes wrote on Twitter. “In the circumstances, I have decided that it would not be right to join my teammates until after attending court on the 13th.”