ECB clears Stokes’ return to England squad
london — Ben Stokes will now be considered for England selection again despite being charged with affray, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Wednesday.
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, the ECB said Stokes was expected to return to England duty for February’s Twenty20 matches in his native New Zealand. Wednesday’s announcement leaves the ECB in a potentially awkward position given they banned Stokes when he had not been charged with any offence and have now made him available for England duty just two days after prosecutors brought charges against him on Monday.
But following a full board discussion, in which they said “all considerations were taken into account”, the ECB said 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 resume an England career that currently comprises 39 Tests, 62 ODIsoand 21 Twenty20 internationals. —