Pair are facing winter bans

any criminal charges. However, the CDC confirmed the pair have been charged with two counts of breaching ECB Directive 3.3, which deals with behaviour prejudicial to the interests of cricket.

It states: “No participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute”.

The duo could be handed suspensions, fines or both.

Stokes missed the Ashes last winter after his arrest, returning against New Zealand in March and he missed the Lord’s Test against India because of his court appearance.

The timing of the hearing a week after England finish their tour of Sri Lanka will allow the pair to play a full part in the ODI and Test series.

But any suspension could rule them out of part of the tour of West Indies between January and March.

Joe Root will argue for the inclusion of Stuart Broad in the Test squad for Sri Lanka despite suggestions he may be rested for the pre-Christmas tour. Speaking at a community project launch in Leeds in association with Village Hotels, the England Test captain said: “Stuart’s experience will be vital in Sri Lanka. He has had a lot of experience in the Subcontinent and a lot of success with teams out there.”

GEOFF COOK is to leave his role as Durham’s director of cricket after a 27-year spell with the club.