Stokes to play a day before court

BEN STOKES looks certain to be picked for the first Test against India even though he faces an appearance in court the day after the match is due to finish. Stokes is definitely out of the second Test at Lord’s because it clashes with his trial on a charge of affray at Bristol Crown Court following the incident outside a nightclub last September that led to him being suspended for the Ashes. Yet England are determined to include him at Edgbaston on August 1. ‘We’re going to pick our best team,’ said England Test captain Joe Root. ‘We’re going to make sure we go into that Test with our strongest squad. And if Ben is fit to play he’ll be up for selection. He loves playing cricket and loves being out there.’