adminLONDON. — All-rounder Ben Stokes says he will delay his departure to join the England cricket squad in New Zealand until after he appears at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13.
The 28-year-old has been charged with affray after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September. The court date coincides with England’s first Twenty20 match in New Zealand.
“I’ve decided it would not be right to join my teammates until after attending court,” he wrote on Twitter.
Stokes, who has not played for England since the incident and intends to contest the charge against him, was made available for selection last week by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
He missed England’s winter Ashes campaign and the ongoing limited-overs series against Australia, but the ECB allowed him to play domestic cricket in New Zealand in December.
The Durham player was due to rejoin the squad for the second half of the triangular T20 series, which also involves co-hosts Australia. – BBC Sport.
Online Reporter