Ben Stokes will return for England in New Zealand

Ben Stokes will end his England exile next month following an ECB board decision that his suspension from selection should be lifted.

It comes after the Crime Prosecution Service charged the 26-year-old plus two others with affray following the Bristol brawl last September that placed his international career on hold. 

The incident happened outside Mbargo nightclub in the early hours of September 25 last year. One man is alleged to have suffered a fractured eye socket.  

Stokes was arrested following a fight outside this nightclub in Bristol in September

The ECB have consistently named Stokes in their squads this winter so as not to be seen to prejudice the legal process.

The 13-strong board discussed the situation on Tuesday and Stokes was cleared to return, after they sought legal advice. 

Although the Durham all-rounder will not travel to Australia for the ongoing five-match Gillette Series, he is set to join up with the Twenty20 squad in Wellington ahead of England’s third triangular tournament match on February 13.

‘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,’ read an England statement. 

‘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. 

‘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. ‘ECB confirmed in December that the independent Cricket Discipline Commission [CDC] would stay the internal disciplinary process for both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes until the conclusion of court proceedings relating to the incident.’

Stokes will join England in Wellington for third triangular tournament match on February 13

Stokes has also been named in the England Test squad for the tour of New Zealand

In addition to the T20 triangular – England play Australia in Hobart and Melbourne before re-locating across the Tasman – Stokes has been included in England’s Test squad for the tour of his native New Zealand.

And it appears he will now be free to continue his international career pending notification of a date to appear at Bristol Magistrates Court.

Upon being charged, Stokes released a statement on Twitter, saying: ‘I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on day one, the same day as the incident, and have cooperated at each step of the police inquiry.

‘I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name but, on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial.

‘The CPS decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public. Until then my focus is very much on cricket.’

Upon being charged, Stokes said he welcomed the chance to give his version of events

Stokes’ only competitive action since the incident has been for Christchurch in New Zealand

So far his only competitive action since the early-hours fracas last September has been for Christchurch in New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 competition.

Stokes has also been granted a No Objection Certificate to play in the Indian Premier League. 

Last year, he was the most expensive purchase in the auction when Pune secured him for £1.7million.