Stokes court date on same day as supposed England comeback

Ben Stokes will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court on February 13, the day he was expected to face New Zealand in Wellington.

Published : Jan 18, 2018 17:21 IST

Stokes was on Monday charged with one count of affray in relation to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.
Stokes was on Monday charged with one count of affray in relation to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.
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Stokes was on Monday charged with one count of affray in relation to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Ben Stokes is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court to answer an affray charge on the same day the all-rounder was expected to make his England comeback.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday revealed that Stokes is clear to resume his international career and was due to fly ahead of the Twenty20 Internationals in New Zealand next month.

England will face the Black Caps in Wellington on February 13, but Avon and Somerset Police on Thursday annouced that is the date that Stokes is due in court.

'He should not take my place'

Stokes was on Monday charged with one count of affray in relation to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Stokes has not played for his country since his arrest and stated that he was "extremely delighted" to have been given the opportunity to resume his international career in his country of birth.

It remains to be seen when he will put on an England shirt again, but it will not be at Westpac Stadium for the T20 opener versus New Zealand.

Prior to the announcement of when Stokes' court appearance would be, England head coach Trevor Bayliss spoke of his plans to get the Test vice-captain up to speed ahead of a return which will now be delayed.

"He hasn't played any cricket for a little while either so it's basically my thought that he should probably start in New Zealand just to allow him a little bit of time to get up to speed." said Bayliss.

"I haven't even had an opportunity to speak to him yet about what his programme might be over the next week or two leading into that series.

"I think the main focus going forward is probably the New Zealand ODIs and trying to get him up to speed for those - what that might entail, we'll have to have a close look at that over the next day or so and try and work out what's going to be the best for him."

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