Ben Stokes. Photo: ReutersEngland cricketer Ben Stokes has appeared in a UK court via video link from New Zealand, pleading not guilty to a charge that arose from an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last year. The England side are in Hamilton preparing for a two-day match against a New Zealand XI, which starts on Wednesday. Christchurch-born Stokes missed the 4-0 loss in the summer's Ashes series after being suspended but England declared him available once more after he pleaded not guilty last month. He joined the team in New Zealand after earlier in the summer turning out for Canterbury in the domestic one-day competition.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 12, 2018 18:00 UTC