Stokes’s ban ends despite charges

Star gets England recall after nightclub fracas

Ben Stokes will now be considered for England selection again despite being charged with affray, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday.

Stokes was suspended from international duty by the ECB following his involvement in an incident outside a nightclub in September that reportedly left a man with a fractured eye socket.

As a result, the Durham all-rounder missed the whole of England’s 4-0 Ashes series defeat in Australia.

Although England are currently involved in a one-day international series in Australia, Stokes was only expected to return to England duty for February’s Twenty-20 matches in New Zealand.

The announcement leaves the ECB in a potentially awkward position given they banned Stokes before he was charged with any offence and have now recalled him just two days after prosecutors brought charges against him on Monday.

However, following a full board discussion, in which the ECB said “all considerations were taken into account”, it had been agreed that Stokes “should now be considered for England selection”.

The ECB said Stokes’ intention to contest the charge had been crucial in its decision to allow him to return to the squad.

“Given the Crown Prosecution Service 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, it would not be fair, reasonable or proportionate for Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period,” the ECB said.