Ben Stokes likely to miss the upcoming New Zealand tour

Ben Stokes, who was pending charges after he was found guilty in a bar brawl in Bristol last year, looks likely to miss the New Zealand tour as well. The England cricketer has now been charged with affray by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Police investigated the incident and sent their findings to the CPS in November. The 26-year-old and two men from Bristol are due to appear before magistrates at a future date.

Affray is a triable either-way charge, implying the case can ultimately be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the crown court. It carries a maximum penalty of a fine and/or up to six months in prison when tried summarily in the magistrates’ court. Alternatively, when tried on indictment the punishment can reach up to three years in prison.

Stokes was forced to miss the Ashes after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated that he would not be considered for England “until further notice”. The swashbuckling all-rounder played six matches for Canterbury while under suspension from the English squad that lost the urn 4-0 down under. Although he had been provisionally named in England’s Test and T20 squads, selectors clarified his participation was dependent on any charges.

Stokes’ response to police charges

The all-rounder thanked his family and supporters in a Twitter statement, saying he was “keen to have the opportunity to clear his name“. He posted a lengthy text to clear any air of ambiguity.

It read, “I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on day one – the same day as the incident – and have co-operated at each step of the police inquiry.

“The (Crown Prosecution Service’s) decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public.

“Until then, my focus is very much on cricket.”

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