Ben Stokes pleads not guilty to affray charge over nightclub brawl

Ben Stokes, England all-rounder, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray over an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Ben Stokes, England cricketer, has submitted a plea of not guilty to one charge of affray at Bristol Magistrates Court.

England cricketer Ben Stokes arrives at court in Bristol on February 13, 2018. Stokes is charged with affray following an incident outside a nightclub that cost him his place on the Ashes tour. The 26-year-old all-rounder, who missed the trip to Australia after being suspended from playing for England, is accused of affray with two other men. (AFP)

Stokes, together with two other men, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, all submitted pleas of not guilty to the charge of affray and the case has now been sent to Bristol Crown Court, with the first hearing scheduled for March 12.

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The all-rounder, along with Ali and Hale, has been released on bail.

The charge relates to an incident in the city in September, when Stokes was arrested during a night out after the one-day international against West Indies.

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The 26-year-old has not played for his country since the 124-run victory at the County Ground.

He missed the 4-0 Ashes Test series loss away to Australia, although the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had announced he was available for selection in the limited-overs contests currently taking place in New Zealand.