Stokes sees upside from Bristol brawl

Ben Stokes says his fight near a Bristol nightclub in 2017 and subsequent court case could be the best thing that has happened to him.

The England allrounder was found not guilty of affray after denying the charge last August following a six-day trial.

Stokes wasn't selected by England as he awaited the outcome and missed the 2017-18 Ashes in Australia.

The 27-year-old, currently playing for Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals, told ESPN that the incident had changed him for good.

"Thinking ‘all this is going to be taken away from me’ might be the thing that has changed the way I do things," Stokes said.

"I was that close to my career ending and being thrown away just like that. Maybe that is it.

"It sounds silly but, could Bristol have been the best thing that could have happened to me? Who knows. But maybe in terms of my way of thinking."

Stokes said the affair had changed the way he does things.

"Nothing good happens after midnight. I still go out but if you mean going 'out out'? I don't go 'out out' anymore," he said.

"I used to love going out and celebrating with the lads but we can do that in the hotel and I don't miss it."

After his trial, Stokes was cleared to continue his international career by the England and Wales Cricket Board after pleading guilty to bringing the game into disrepute at a disciplinary hearing.

He received a back-dated eight-match ban and was fined 30,000 pounds ($A55,000). While awaiting the police charges, he missed five Tests and 11 white-ball internationals.

Stokes said he returned to action with England too soon and shouldn't have played the third Test against India at Trent Bridge four days after the trial.

"The trial was a tough week and then everything after it too," he said.

"I'd say it was the toughest two weeks of my life.

"Walking out at Trent Bridge was absolutely awful. All I could hear were boos even if there weren't any. It was a dreadful, dreadful week."