Stokes faces Crown court trial for affray

CRICKETER Ben Stokes will travel to New Zealand to join the England squad after appearing at court charged with affray.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the all-rounder will depart today and arrive “ready to train with England team mates” on Friday.

Stokes, 26, from Durham, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with affray along with two other men. He indicated a not guilty plea to the charge, relating to an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol on September 25 last year.

The ECB spokesman said Stokes would not be required to return to the UK for a hearing on March 12.

The cricketer appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, both from Bristol.

They are jointly charged with affray in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol on September 25 last year.

A 27-year-old man allegedly suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident.

Stokes, Ali and Hale spoke to confirm their names, dates of births, addresses and nationalities. All three defendants indicated not guilty pleas.

District Judge Simon Cooper told the defendants that their trial would take place at the crown court in Bristol, with the first hearing on March 12. All three were given unconditional bail.