Looking At The Future, Says Ben Stokes As He Looks To Move On From The Bristol Brawl

England star Ben Stokes is hopeful he will be best remembered for his on-field exploits rather than the Bristol brawl that nearly derailed his cricket career.

The Most Valuable Player in the Indian Premier League 2017, the costliest overseas player, one of England’s biggest names in the game – life was panning out like a fairytale for Ben Stokes. But it all changed in a blink of an eye. In September last year, he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident outside Bristol nightclub which left one man in hospital.

Following the incident in Bristol, the ECB suspended the left-handed batsman which saw him getting omitted from the Ashes squad. He later returned to the national team but was also charged with affray. Earlier this year, during the home Test series against India, the court found him not guilty.

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He, however,  has still been charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Both Stokes and England team-mate Alex Hales, who was with him during the altercation but did not face a criminal charge, are now due to appear before a cricket discipline commission (CDC) in December.

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“Look, it’s all about looking forward now,” Stokes told the BBC.

“We’ve got a huge summer coming up with the Ashes and the World Cup so I’m fully focused on that. Looking at things that went on (in the past) is not the way I like to think about things. It’s all about looking to the future,” he added.

He further said that the Bristol event has elevated his sense of gratitude at being able to play international cricket.

“I have always viewed my career playing for England as being lucky to be in this situation and you appreciate that a bit more I guess,” he said.

Stokes, meanwhile, will be looking to prove his worth in the upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting November 6.

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