ECB TO CONSIDER OPTIONS AS STOKES CHARGED WITH AFFRAY
England all-rounder has not played for his country since arrest over fight in Bristol
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are to meet within the next 48 hours to decide on the next course of action with Ben Stokes after it was announced yesterday that the all-rounder has been charged with affray.
Stokes has not played for England in any international cricket since he was arrested in September following a fight outside a Bristol nightclub.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have now confirmed that the Durham player will face charges, along with two other men over the incident.
An ECB spokesperson said yesterday: “The ECB is aware that Ben Stokes has been charged with affray in relation to an incident in Bristol in September.
“The Board will now convene within 48 hours to decide on Ben Stokes’ availability to represent England at this stage.
“A further announcement will be made in due course.”
Stokes, 26, missed the Ashes series in Australia as a consequence of the incident, with the ECB opting to rule him out while he waited on the outcome of a police investiation into the incident.
“The CPS was passed a file of evidence by Avon and Somerset Police on November 29, 2017 in relation to an incident of disorder in Bristol city centre,” a statement from the CPS read.
“Further material was subsequently received in late December. Following a review of all the available evidence, the CPS has today authorised the police to charge three men with affray in connection with the incident.”
Avon and Somerset Police added in a statement: “Three men have today been charged in connection with an incident of disorder on Queens Road, Bristol on September 25 last year.
“Having carefully considered the evidence, the CPS has today authorised Ben Stokes, 26, of Durham, Ryan Ali, 28 and Ryan Hale, 26, both of Bristol, to each be charged with one count of affray.
Stokes was arrested following the incident, which occurred in the early hours of September 25 some time after England beat the West Indies in a one-day international at Bristol.
Stokes was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board as police conducted inquiries.
He was consequently not considered for the series in Australia over the winter, although he was given permission to play some club cricket in New Zealand for Canterbury.
He was ruled out of England’s ongoing one-day series in Australia last week but was given permission to play in the next Indian Premier League competition.
He was also named in the England squad for the Test series in New Zealand in March but his availability will likely now be discussed by the board.
Stokes has been an integral part of the England set-up in all formats in recent years.
He has played in 39 Tests, 62 oneday internationals and 21 Twenty20 matches for his country.
He was the Test side’s vice-captain but was replaced in the role for the tour of Australia by James Anderson.
England struggled without Stokes in the Ashes as they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by the home side.
India captain Virat Kohli struck a magnificent century but South Africa held the upper hand as they reached 90-2 in their second innings on a difficult wicket after rain and then bad light curtailed Day 3 of the second Test yesterday.
The home side lead by 118 runs having bowled India out for 307 after lunch despite a classy 153 from Kohli, who scored almost half his side’s runs.
AB de Villiers (50 not out) took the attack to the India bowlers after South Africa had sunk to 3-2 in their second innings on a wicket that is more Pune than Pretoria, with variable bounce and taking massive turn for the spinners.
De Villiers will start Day 4 with opener Dean Elgar (36 not out), who has battled for rhythm but hung around in an unbeaten third wicket partnership of 87.
South Africa had been rocked earlier by a double-strike from India seamer Jasprit Bumrah (2-30), who trapped both Aiden Markram (1) and Hashim Amla (1) leg before wicket with deliveries that skidded through after keeping low.
There would have been plenty of panic in the South Africa dressing room at that point, but De Villiers started attacking from the moment he reached the wicket to put the pressure back onto the tourists.
India had resumed on their overnight score of 183-5, but lost Hardik Pandya (15) to a farcical run out as the all-rounder ambled into his crease and failed to put his bat down, only to be undone by a direct hit from Vernon Philander.
Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin (38) shared a quick-fire seventh wicket stand of 71, before the latter fell to Philander (1-46).
Mohammed Shami (1) edged a Morne Morkel (4-60) delivery to slip, while the latter also accounted for Ishant Sharma (3) when he was caught at shortleg.
Kohli was the last batsman out as he tried to attack the bowling, caught at deep midon to be become Morkel’s fourth victim of the innings.
South Africa won the opening test of the three-match series by 72 runs in Cape Town.