Former skippers react to Stokes return

Allrounder Ben Stokes will now be considered for England selection again and is set to return to action next month despite being charged with affray, a decision from the ECB that has been labelled "illogical" by former captain Mike Atherton.

Stokes was suspended from international duty by the ECB following an incident outside a nightclub in September that allegedly left a man with a fractured eye socket.

After he was charged with affray this week, the ECB announced that Stokes was expected to return to the England squad for the New Zealand leg of the Gillette T20 Tri-Series in February that is being co-hosted with Australia.

The ECB said Stokes's intention to contest the charge had been crucial in its decision to allow him to resume his England career.

"ECB fully respects the legal process and the player’s intention to defend himself against the charge," the ECB statement read.

"Given the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) 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.”

Atherton, speaking to Sky Sports, said the ECB's stance is "illogical". 

"It seems illogical in certain respects given that they essentially suspended him for the last two or three months, since the event in Bristol, and are now allowing him to play, even though the CPS decision has still got some time to run," Atherton said.

"So it's hard to square the two positions. You'd think there would be some consistency shown all the way through.

"Either you let him play for the past two or three months or you continue with the policy of what has happened up until now, with the effective suspension. It seems illogical to change course at this point and I think most people would find it hard to square the two positions."

Former England captain Nasser Hussain sympathised with the ECB, telling Sky Sports: "It was an incredibly difficult decision to make for the ECB and I don't envy them - they were damned if they do (select Stokes) and damned if they didn't.

"They have a person who at the moment has not been found guilty of anything in court of law and as he said in his statement he is going to contest the charge, which means it is going to go on longer.

"It seems odd in certain ways that when he wasn't charged with anything he was not allowed to play for England and now that he has been charged with affray they are letting him become available for selection.

"It is a very, very complicated matter and they are saying this is going to drag on so long they are going to let him be available."

Former skipper Michael Vaughan backed the decision to allow Stokes to return, but questioned why he's not available for the start of the T20 series in Australia.

Stokes responded to Monday's charge by vowing to "clear my name" and thanking family, friends, teammates and cricket fans for their support, saying his intention now was to focus on his cricket.

"I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on day one - the same day as the incident - and have cooperated at each step of the police inquiry," Stokes said in statement posted on his Twitter account.

"I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name, but on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial.

"The CPS' decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public.

"Until then, my focus is very much on cricket."

On Wednesday, he said playing for his country is "privilege and a honour".

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG.

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21