Stokes back in England squad after being cleared of affray

BEN Stokes has been recalled to England’s Test squad after being cleared of affray.

The 27-year-old could regain his place for the third Test at Trent Bridge, which starts on Saturday, after missing the win at Lord’s because of his trial.

He has been selected, despite the ECB resuming an independent Cricket Discipline Commission investigation into Stokes and his team-mate Alex Hales over the incident in Bristol.

After being acquitted, Stokes thanked his wife, family, friends and team-mates for their ‘unerring’ support during ‘an 11-month ordeal’.

“In addition to the extreme stress placed on Ben and his family by the trial, his intervention that night has already cost Ben the England vice-captaincy, his place on an Ashes tour and his place on a number of other England matches,” Stokes’s solicitor Paul Lunt said.

“The past 11 months have served to highlight to Ben just how highly he values his position as an England representative, both in terms of the privilege that role entails and the responsibilities that accompany it.

“Now that the trial is over, Ben is keen to get back to cricket being his sole focus.”

A jury at Bristol Crown Court took two hours to clear Stokes of affray and as the verdict was returned, he closed his eyes with relief and then looked up while his wife Clare cried.

Before leaving court Stokes shook the hand of co-accused Ryan Ali, who had also been acquitted.

Meanwhile, Lancashire will look move a step closer to securing a home quarter-final tie in the Vitality Blast when they take on Birmingham at Edgbaston in their final North Group game.

The Red Rose are guaranteed a place in the last eight, but a win would mean Worcestershire – the only side who could deny them a home tie – would have to beat Birmingham on Friday, and massively improve their net run rate to deny Lancashire a top-two finish.