Ben Stokes pleads not guilty to affray; set to face trial on August 6

Ben Stokes

England all-rounder Ben Stokes pleaded not guilty yesterday via video link to a charge of affray over a nightclub incident that forced him out of the Ashes tour.

Likely to miss India Test
The powerful all-rounder, currently with the England squad in New Zealand, looks set to miss the second Test against India at Lord's, with his trial set for August 6.
Stokes and two other men pleaded not guilty to the charge during a 15-minute hearing at Bristol Crown Court, in the southwest of England.

'Hi judge'
Stokes, 26, wearing a grey shirt, said "hi judge" when he was introduced to Judge Peter Blair via the video link. The two other defendants, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, appeared in person at the court. Judge Blair set a date of August 6 for the trial, which is expected to last between five and seven days. The second Test against India starts on August 9.

"You must be here without fail for that trial," the judge told Stokes, Ali and Hale. "You will remain on bail as before."

Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever