STOKES WILL BE GIVEN PERMISSION TO PLAY IN INDIAN LEAGUE BY ECB

BEN STOKES will be given the green light to cash in on Indian Premier League riches even while he still has the threat of criminal charges hanging over him.

The ECB are prepared to allow Stokes to enter next month’s auction for the richest T20 league in the world as he awaits the Crown Prosecution Service verdict on whether he will be charged with assault.

On the day it was announced that Stokes (right), who was suspended by England for his part in a Bristol brawl that left a man with a fractured eye socket, was cutting short his stay in New Zealand for family reasons, the ECB were approving his next venture.

‘It’s for Ben to decide,’ said ECB chief Tom Harrison when asked if Stokes would be allowed to play in the IPL. ‘We would want board backing for a decision of this magnitude and we will have to work out the implications in terms of reputation. Any application from Ben for a no-objection certificate to play will be considered by the full board.’ Stokes, centrally contracted to England, was allowed to play in Christchurch despite being banned by England following his criminal investigation. He will not play on the Ashes tour until England know about any court action. Last year Stokes was drafted by the Rising Pune Supergiants. Harrison also intimated that Stokes will be able to play for Durham next summer even if the CPS is yet to decide. He added: ‘There’s nothing in the rules to say he couldn’t play if he is charged while he awaits trial but there’s a reputational element for the board to take into account.’