Ben Stokes ready for England return but ban threat will hang over him for a month

Ben Stokes is unlikely to learn whether he will be punished by the ECB until after the end of this summer’s Test series against India.

Stokes has been found not guilty of affray but the fallout from his arrest in Bristol last September is unlikely to end for at least a month, meaning the whole saga will have lasted a year.

Stokes is back in England’s squad for the Third Test against India on Saturday after the selectors, coach Trevor Bayliss, captain Joe Root and the ECB Board opted to swiftly bring the all-rounder back into the fold following the jury’s unanimous not guilty verdict on Tuesday.

He is in line to play on Saturday and is likely to be involved for the rest of the series.

But the Cricket Discipline Commission still must hold hearings for Stokes and Alex Hales, who was with the Durham player at the Bristol nightclub the night of his arrest. They are likely to be charged with bringing the game into disrepute and could face further sanctions, including bans.

So far, Stokes has missed six Tests, seven ODIs and four T20Is as a result of the case, while Hales missed two ODIs last September.

Tim O’Gorman, the former Derbyshire cricketer who chairs the CDC, is assembling the three or four-man panel he feels is most appropriate, at which point a date will be set for hearings for the players, who will then prepare their cases.

The ECB process to get these hearings in place will mean they are weeks, rather than days, away.

Questions then arise about the pair’s involvement in overseas T20 competitions. Australia’s Big Bash League, where Stokes was of interest to franchises including Sydney Sixers, were awaiting the outcome of the trial, but it is unclear whether they would make a decision on behalf of franchises or allow them to make their own decisions about whether to pick Stokes up.

The competition prides itself on a family friendly atmosphere and, despite a not guilty verdict, may feel enough is known about the Stokes situation to block clubs from signing him.

Chris Gayle has been persona non grata since making inappropriate comments to a female reporter while playing for Melbourne Renegades three years ago.

The IPL, where Stokes and Hales both played this year, is likely to be more relaxed. Stokes was the most valuable player there in 2017 and was the highest-paid player at the auction this year.