Ben Stokes: all-rounder cleared to play for England after affray charge

Ben Stokes will return to international cricket in February after the England and Wales Cricket Board lifted his suspension. On Monday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that Stokes would be charged with affray and the ECB’s board members convened – with the chairman, Colin Graves, present via conference call from New Zealand – to decide on Stokes’s future.

Stokes is expected to join the squad in New Zealand for February’s T20 matches which form part of the Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and Australia. His first match back is set to be against New Zealand at Wellington, on 13 February.

The head coach, Trevor Bayliss, who was not part of the decision-making process, said: “We’re happy he has been made available. We know why he wasn’t made available and we fully understand it. From my point of view it was about being out when they were.

“It is a complex situation. I wasn’t a part of the decision making. From the board’s point of view they’ve had long and detailed discussions about it and it is not an easy situation.”

On Wednesday the ECB released a statement: “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.

“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 would stay the internal disciplinary process for both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until the conclusion of court proceedings relating to the incident.”

Following the release of the ECB’s statement, Stokes wrote on Twitter: “Representing my country is one of the greatest things that I’ve ever been lucky enough to do, walking out on to the field with the England shirt on is a privilege and a honour. I’m extremely delighted to be given this opportunity to do this again.

“I can’t wait to get back out on a pitch with the Three Lions on my chest and feeling that pride that we all get and giving everything for the team.”

Stokes had been suspended by the ECB since 26 September, when he was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm following the disturbance in the Clifton area of Bristol. After missing the Ashes series in Australia he was provisionally named in the squad for the current one-day international series against Australia. He will now also be able to take his place on the Test tour to New Zealand, which takes place in March.

He has been free to pursue cricket at domestic level and played four matches for Auckland in the Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s domestic List A competition, at the end of 2017 after the ECB granted him a No Objection Certificate. He has also put himself forward for the Indian Premier League auction.

The developments mean the ECB is likely to grant him another NOC certificate. Stokes struck big in 2017’s auction, joining Pune Supergiants for £1.7m. He returned the favour by scoring 316 runs and taking 12 wickets, earning him the award for the IPL’s most valuable player.

Eight franchises are reportedly keen on his signature provided they could receive assurances regarding the scale of his participation. The tournament runs from 4 April to 31 May and, all being well, Stokes will only miss the start and finish of the competition, because of the second New Zealand Test in Christchurch and first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s respectively.