Ben Stokes Cleared to Play For England By the ECB
Updated - 22 Sep 2018, 02:38 PM
Ben Stokes has been cleared by the English Cricket Board and is now available for selection in the England squad. Stokes will join the squad in New Zealand and will also return to international action in February. Stokes participation was for the New Zealand series was under doubt after he was charged with affray by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). However, the ECB has now decided to allow the 26-year-old all-rounder to join the T20 squad for the Tri-series and the two-match Test series in New Zealand next month.
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Stokes was provisionally added to England’s Test squad for New Zealand, but after being charged by the CPS, his participation in the two-Test series is under doubt. The 26-year-old English all-rounder and two other men will have to appear before the court on future dates.
The ECB on Tuesday decided that Stokes can resume his international career after missing out the Ashes and five match ODI series. An ECB statement read:
“Following a full board discussion, in which all considerations were taken into account, the ECB board has agreed that Ben Stokes should now be considered for England selection. Given the CPS decision to charge him and two others with affray, confirmation of his intention to contest the charge and the potential length of time to trial, the board agreed that it would not be fair, reasonable or proportionate for Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period.”
“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.
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“ECB fully respects the legal process and the player’s intention to defend himself against the charge.
“England selectors, management and players have been informed and Ben Stokes is expected to join the squad in New Zealand for February’s T20 matches.”
