ECB hold talks to decide whether Ben Stokes should play for England following affray charge

The ECB are meeting to decide whether Ben Stokes can play for England before the conclusion of his court case.

Stokes was charged with affray on Monday, along with two other men, following a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol in September.

The 26-year-old Durham star made it clear in a statement he will fight the charge and the ECB’s 13‑strong board will meet on Tuesday via teleconference to assess Stokes’s immediate international future.

The Crown Prosecution Service have said there is no timeframe on when the case might reach a conclusion but it is expected to run into several months.

The IPL have given the all-clear for Stokes to compete in their lucrative event, in which the England all-rounder — who topped the auction at £1.7million last season — is again expected to be the top draw at the end of the month.

However, there has been apprehension among the franchises over both a possible Stokes recall and also the potential date for court proceedings.