India vs England | Ben Stokes to miss Lord’s Test as affray hearing moved to August 6

India are set to travel to England and Australia in the latter half of this year after a resounding limited overs series win on foreign soil in South Africa. The current squad that is in Sri Lanka, who recently won the second match in the tournament versus Bangladesh, will also be considered for the upcoming tours as well.

England are currently on tour in New Zealand where they raced to their sixth successive ODI series win in a row courtesy of Jonny Bairstow, who played a decisive 104 run innings. Ben Stokes was part of the squad that faced New Zealand after previously being ignored for the Ashes series last year following his Bust-up outside a Bristol nightclub last September.

Stokes, along with two other men, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, have been accused of affray to which they pleaded not guilty at a Bristol magistrates’ last month. Stokes is being represented by Mr. Gordon Cole, Hale is being defended by Michael Hall and Ali by Giles Nelson. The alleged incident took place outside Mbargo nightclub in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol, where England had earlier played a one-day international against West Indies.

Stokes recently confirmed his ‘Not guilty’ plea via a video call session with His Honour Judge Blair QC, The Recorder of Bristol. Stokes was given special dispensation to miss the Plea Trial Preparation Hearing, all three defendants were told they "must be here for your trial". 

They were warned that, if they did not attend, a warrant would be issued for their arrest and they could forfeit their bail. They were also strongly advised to provide defence statements that would help them with their case before May 22.