Stokes available for England selection despite charge

Cricketer Ben Stokes will be considered for England selection immediately, despite being charged with affray earlier this week.

The Durham all-rounder had been named in England's T20 squad for a series against Australia and New Zealand but his participation had been dependent on whether he was charged.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has now said that the 26-year-old is expected to join the team in New Zealand next month.

On Monday, Stokes was charged alongside two other men in relation to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

He was suspended from the England team after his initial arrest and subsequently missed England's Ashes series in Australia.

Stokes will appear with Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, at Bristol Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed.

The ECB said that given Stokes' intention to contest the charge and the time it could take for the case to reach trial, it would "not be fair, reasonable or proportionate" for him "to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period".They added: "To date, Stokes has been unavailable for selection throughout the police and CPS process around the incident in Bristol in September, a period which has included One-Day Internationals against West Indies, the Ashes tour and the start of the ODI series against Australia.

"ECB fully respects the legal process and the player's intention to defend himself against the charge."