All-rounder Ben Stokes has been rushed straight back into the England squad for the third test against India after being found not guilty of affray.
Ben Stokes Photo: Cricketpix
The 27-year-old was cleared over a fight outside a nightclub last September during which prosecutors say he knocked two men unconscious.
It was claimed the cricketer, who helped England to victory in the first Test against India this month but missed the second because of the trial, had lost control after drinking heavily earlier in the night.
Stokes says he was acting in self-defence after stepping in to defend a gay couple from homophobic abuse.
Within two hours of the end of the court case, Stokes was back in the England team for the third test at Trent Bridge which starts on Sunday.
Stokes missed England's Ashes tour to Australia last year but returned to the national side in February.
Outside court, a statement read out by his lawyer solicitor Paul Lunt said Stokes is keen to get back to cricket being "his sole focus".
"The past 11 months have served to highlight to Ben just how highly he values his position as an England representative, both in terms of the privilege that role entails and the responsibilities that accompany it," the statement said.
"Now that the trial is over, Ben is keen to get back to cricket being his sole focus."
A Cricket Discipline Commission investigation into the behaviour of Stokes and team-mate Alex Hales was put on hold while court proceedings took precedence.
But in its statement, the ECB confirmed that procedure will now resume.
-Reuters
