Stokes faces court trial

AFP: England cricketer Ben Stokes arrived at court yesterday, where he will go on trial for affray. 

The all-rounder and two other men are jointly charged over a fracas in Bristol on 25 September 2017 -- several hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies in the city. 

Stokes, 27, and Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale all deny the charge. 

Wearing a blue suit and red tie, Stokes was driven to the city’s Crown Court in a silver people-carrier and walked straight into the building flanked by the media. 

The charge he faces states that their “conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety”. 

A 27-year-old man allegedly suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident, at which fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present.  The trial is expected to last between five and seven days in courtroom one.  Stokes missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England. Without him, England lost the Ashes to Australia 4-0.  He has since played in the Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan. He starred on Saturday as England beat India at Edgbaston. 

Stokes and the two other men are on bail.