Stokes pleads not guilty to affray

Stokes attended Bristol Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to enter his plea on the basis of self defence

^{Ben Stokes arrives at Bristol Magistrates Court}

England allrounder Ben Stokes has pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray.

Stokes attended Bristol Magistrates Court on Tuesday to enter his plea on the basis of self defence.

The charge relates to an incident outside a nightclub in the West Country city in September.

Stokes's case will now be referred to the Crown Court, with the next hearing scheduled to take place on March 12.

^{Stokes was answering a charge of affray, to which he pleaded not guilty}

Two other men -  Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale - also pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

All three have been granted unconditional bail.

Stokes had been included in England's one-day international squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand and it remains unclear how developments will impact his selection.

The first ODI is scheduled to take place on February 25, 15 days before his case is first heard by the Crown Court system.