Ben Stokes has been given the all-clear to play international cricket again after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) lifted his suspension.
Stokes had been unavailable for selection since being arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident in Bristol last September. After a police investigation Stokes was this week charged with affray by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) - a charge the 26-year-old intends to contest.
Following a meeting of its board members, the ECB decided the all-rounder will now be available for selection for the Twenty20 series in New Zealand next month.
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In a statement published on its website, the ECB said: “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.”
Stokes, who has recently been playing for Canterbury in New Zealand, was charged with affray along with two other men - Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale - who were also involved in the incident in Bristol.
In a statement published on Twitter he vowed to clear his name. Stokes said: “I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on the day - and have cooperated at each step of the police inquiry.
“I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name but, on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial.
“The CPS decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public. Until then, my focus is very much on cricket.”
