Stokes flies to New Zealand after pleading not guilty in affray case
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, inset, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with affray along with two other men.
He indicated a not-guilty plea to the charge against him, relating to an incident outside a nightclub in Bristol on September 25 last year.
Following the court appearance, a spokesman for the ECB said: “Having entered his plea at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today, Ben Stokes will now travel to New Zealand to join the England squad. “He departs tomorrow, Wednesday February 14, and will arrive on Friday February 16, ready to train with England team mates in Hamilton. “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. “ECB fully respects his right to defend himself in court and any obligations he has within the legal process will always take precedence over England commitments.”
The ECB spokesman said Stokes would not be required to return to the UK for a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on March 12. Stokes missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England. Without him, England lost the Ashes to Australia 4-0.
The cricketer appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26.
They are jointly charged with affray in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol on September 25 last year – several hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies.
A 27-year-old man allegedly suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident, at which fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present.
The clerk read out the charge against them and all three defendants indicated not-guilty pleas. They were bailed with a trial scheduled for March 12.