Ben Stokes hopeful of joining the team in New Zealand

England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes and his career went into a limbo after the left-hander got involved in a brawl outside a bar in Bristol. England went to Ashes without the services of Stokes and they eventually lost the urn by losing the 5-match series 4-0.

Stokes was charged with an affray last month and was supposed to turn up in front of a Magistrates’ Court. The date was later decided as 13th of February. The star-allrounder is hoping to join the English side in New Zealand after the Court’s session on Tuesday. Bristol magistrates will first decide If they need to try the case against Stokes in the  Crown Court and later can give the next date for his appearance.

Notably, teammate Alex Hales was too involved during the brawl outside the nightclub but was later given a clean chit by the police. ECB had lifted the suspension of Hales and had allowed the 29-year-old to play in the ODI series against Australia

Although the ECB has named Stokes in the squad for the ODI series against Australia as well as the T20 tri-series. Later they had to remove his name after he was charged in the case. England won the ODI series against the Australians by beating them 4-1 but their campaign in the tri-series started with back to back losses.

Can he get a game If cleared by Magistrates’ Court?

England, having lost both the games against Australia will have to win their remaining games to qualify for the finals. If England manages to win the two games and Ben Stokes gets the positive nod from the Magistrates’ Court, he then can probably don the English jersey one more time for the final T20. The inclusion of an all-rounder of Stokes capabilities can help the English side.

A decision against Stoke would mean that the wait to get into the international arena will extend furthermore. Interestingly, BCCI’s lucrative league IPL saw Ben Stokes fetch big bucks after he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping 12.5 Cr. If the decision goes against South Africa born Stokes, his participation in the IPL might well be under question.