Ben Stokes was in the eye of the storm for a brawl outside a nightclub Bristol. However, the Bristol Court acquitted the 27-year-old Durham all-rounder on the basis of the cricketer acting in self-defence. Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale were also accused alongside Stokes. Ryan Ali, who was knocked unconscious in the brawl was also cleared of all the charges.

Whereas, Hale was acquitted last Thursday itself. Stokes mentioned that his act was sheer self-defence. Stokes alleged Ali, who was holding a bottle, had replied: “Shut the f**k up or I’ll bottle you.” The English cricketer told the jury, “All my actions were in self-defence and fearing for my safety.”

The right happened last year in September, hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies at the County Ground in the city. Both Stokes and Ali shook hands at the dock. Stokes back then had mentioned that he stepped into the brawl to defend two gay men who were being abused verbally. But then later had to defend himself from Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale. The England Cricket Board is yet to make changes in the squad against Indian. But again that depends on ECB’s Cricket Disciplinary Commission is they wish to award a punishment related to cricket to Stokes and Hales.

“You will see Mr Hales on one occasion appearing to kick. So, when the prosecution seeks to hang all the blame at Ben Stokes's door by saying he rendered people unconscious, just look at what happened. Think about kicks and stamps. Does it follow that all of these injuries are properly attributed to Ben Stokes? We say no. We say that the evidence is ambiguous, “said Stokes’s barrister Gordon Cole.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2018 06:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).