England vice-captain Ben Stokes charged with affray

England vice-captain Ben Stokes has been charged with affray following a disturbance outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

The 26-year-old missed out on the entire Ashes series as a result of the incident, as the England and Wales Cricket Board froze him out of contention while the Crown Prosecution Service launched a criminal case.

Stokes has now been formally charged by the CPS along with two other men, and he will appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court at a later date.

"Following a review of all the available evidence, the CPS has today authorised the police to charge three men with affray in connection with the incident," a CPS statement read.

"Ben Stokes, 26, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, are all due to appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed in relation to this charge."

Stokes was recently cleared to feature in the Indian Premier League, despite being out of contention for the national side.