Debasis Sen, Nottingham: England got a huge boost on Tuesday as star all rounder Ben Stokes has been cleared to play the third test match against India at Trent Bridge starting from Saturday. The 27 year old Durham all rounder was found not guilty of affray and was cleared by the jury after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September. He missed the second Test against India to attend the trial and was initially omitted from the squad for the third game in Nottingham which starts on Saturday.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read as follows:
“Now that the legal proceedings have concluded, the disciplinary process for Ben Stokes and Alex Hales can be scheduled by the Cricket Discipline Commission [CDC].
“Ben Stokes will now join the England squad for the 3rd Specsavers Test against India, which starts at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
“Considerable detail has been heard in this week-long court case and, in due course, there will be a range of matters for the Board to fully consider.”
An independent cricket disciplinary commission will convene in the coming weeks to investigate the episode, which also included Alex Hales, before any internal punishment is handed down. The ECB had stated they would make ‘an assessment’ on the role of Stokes for the third Test after a verdict was reached. Stokes will now join up with the rest of the 14-man squad for the game as England look to wrap up a series which they lead 2-0, after wins at Edgbaston and the innings and 159-run success at Lord’s.