Stokes' response to police charge

Ben Stokes says he's desperate for the chance to "clear his name" over his alleged involvement in a Bristol street fracas but has been advised not to until his case goes to trial in the coming months.

A little more than an hour after Avon and Somerset Police confirmed Stokes, along with two other men, had been charged with affray following a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September, England's Test vice-captain posted a statement via his Twitter account.

Stokes welcomed the Crown Prosecution Service's decision to also charge Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, two Bristol men alleged to have been involved in the brawl.

"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 the statement.

"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."

Stokes also thanked his "family, friends, fans and teammates" for their support throughout the three-and-a-half months that have passed since the incident during which a man sustained a fractured eye-socket.

READ: How the news of Stokes' police charge broke

Following the news Stokes had been charged, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed its selection panel will meet within 48 hours to determine the 26-year-old's immediate availability for the national side.

Stokes missed the Magellan Ashes and will take no part in the ongoing Gillette ODI series but remains in England's squad for next month's T20 tri-series in Australia and New Zealand.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has also given Stokes permission to play in April's Indian Premier League, the lucrative T20 tournament that the Durham product was named MVP of last year.

"ECB is aware that Ben Stokes has been charged with affray in relation to an incident in Bristol in September," an ECB spokesperson said.

"The Board will now convene within 48 hours to decide on Ben Stokes' availability to represent England at this stage.

"A further announcement will be made in due course."

The only cricket Stokes has played since the Bristol incident came on a trip home to his native New Zealand, where he played in six domestic matches in December for Canterbury while the Ashes were being contested across the Tasman.

The trip gave rise to speculation he could be a late inclusion to England's touring party but the firebrand allrounder subsequently returned to the United Kingdom without joining his Test teammates.

Stokes is set to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court at a yet-to-be-confirmed date within six months.

Confirming the criminal charge, a spokesperson for England's Crown Prosecution Service said: "The CPS was passed a file of evidence by Avon and Somerset Police on 29 November in relation to an incident of disorder in Bristol city centre."