Ben Stokes is cleared by the ECB for England selection
All-rounder is expected to join the squad in New Zealand next month
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Graham Thorpe obituary: 'chameleon' batsman with 100 England caps
In depth Cricketer's 'bottle in abundance' endeared him to fans
By The Week UK Published
-
The Ashes: can England mount a glorious comeback?
feature ‘Herculean’ task follows ugly scenes at controversial second test
By The Week Staff Published
-
English cricket is ‘racist, sexist and elitist’, says independent report
Speed Read Chair of governing body apologises after crushing indictment of the sport ‘at all levels’
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
England are the ‘undisputed kings’ of white-ball cricket
feature Ben Stokes scored the winning run as England beat Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Ben Stokes and England set up a ‘grand finale’ against South Africa
feature In an old-school Test victory at Old Trafford, England’s captain scored a century and took four crucial wickets
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Alarm bells’ for authorities: is there too much cricket being played?
Talking Point Ben Stokes quitting one-day internationals has sparked a debate over the packed schedule
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Bazball’: England cricket’s glorious new look
Why Everyone’s Talking About A staggering turnaround has taken place under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes
By The Week Staff Published
-
England’s epic win: Test cricket that was ‘quite simply, out of this world’
Why Everyone’s Talking About Victory over New Zealand was one of the most ‘glorious and scintillating’ in England’s history
By The Week Staff Published