Stokes to join squad after not guilty plea

Ben Stokes will fly out to join England’s tour of New Zealand in the next 24 hours.

The 26-year-old allrounder pleaded not guilty to affray at Bristol Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning and was granted bail before the next hearing in the case takes place on 12 March, which he is not required to attend.

An ECB spokesman said: “Having entered his plea at Bristol Magistrates Court today, Ben Stokes will now travel to New Zealand to join the England squad.”

England, who lost the Ashes in Stokes’ absence this winter but hit back with a 4-1 victory in the subsequent one-day international series against Australia, are in danger of an early exit from the ongoing Twenty20 tri-series after defeat against New Zealand in Wellington.

The ECB spokesman added: “Any decision to include him in upcoming matches will be made by head coach Trevor Bayliss and the England management team. He is not currently being considered for the ongoing International T20 Triseries.

The Durham player is accused of affray along with two other men. He appeared in court alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26. It follows the altercation in Bristol in the early hours of 25 September 25 last year, after England had played a one-day international against West Indies in the city.