Ben Stokes to be considered for England selection, confirms ECB

The England and Wales Cricket (ECB) Board have decided that all-rounder Ben Stokes should be considered for England selection following his effective suspension from international duty, it was confirmed on Wednesday (January 17).

Stokes had not been considered for England selection while the Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were reviewing the case against him relating to an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September. Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after the incident and the CPS and Police announced on Monday (January 15) that he has, along with two others, subsequently been charged with affray.

The ECB Board convened via teleconference call on Tuesday to decide on Stokes's availability for England in the immediate term. They faced a difficult decision. Having not considered Stokes since September, they will have no doubt been aware that they would be opening themselves up to accusations of inconsistency for not picking Stokes when he was yet to be charged and reversing that decision now that he has been.

However, the Board were also conscious of treating Stokes fairly after the 26 year-old had confirmed via a statement on Twitter on Monday that he would be contesting the charges and was "keen to have an opportunity to clear my name". The Board also would not have wanted to be accused of any restraint of trade in relation to Stokes which is part of the reason he was granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic competition late last year.

"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," an ECB statement read. "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."

The whole issue has been extremely difficult for the ECB. It's all been rather "damned if you do, damned if you don't" with a host of factors to consider including the image of the game, the legal standpoints as well as player safeguarding and welfare issues. While this decision may give rise to accusations of muddled thinking given Stokes's previous non-selection, it is far from an easy situation for all involved.

Stokes has already missed two One-Day Internationals against Windies and the five-match Ashes tour as well as the start of the one-day series against Australia which began last week. England's management and players have been informed of the Board's decision and the ECB expect Stokes to join up with the squad in New Zealand in February for the continuation of the T20 tri-series which also involves Australia.

The all-rounder has also enrolled himself for next week's IPL players' mega auction and the ECB's decision will mean that he will go into that competition with some competitive cricket behind him. Although there remain issues as to whether any trial will impact his availability for the IPL or his mental frame of mind, Stokes's value as a cricketer cannot be doubted. He is likely to attract much interest.

"Representing my country is one of the greatest things that I've ever been lucky enough to do, walking out on to the field with the England shirt on is a privilege and a honour," said Stokes on Twitter. "I'm extremely delighted to be given this opportunity to do this again. Can't wait to get back out on a pitch with the 3 Lions on my chest and feeling that pride that we all get and giving everything for the team."

Despite this decision, the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission will still go through their own internal disciplinary process against Stokes and batsman Alex Hales who was also involved in the incident but was subsequently cleared by the police of any wrongdoing. However, that will not take place until after the court proceedings have concluded. No date has yet been set for the trial which will begin at Bristol Magistrates' Court.