Stokes trains with England teammates ahead of return

After landing in New Zealand, Ben Stokes practiced with his England teammates as the all-rounder is preparing to make his international return.

Stokes is expected to make a comeback during the forthcoming ODI series against New Zealand on February 25, reports Daily Mirror.

The former England vice-captain was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with affray in connection with a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub last year but pleaded not guilty to charge at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The case was referred to Bristol Crown Court, with an initial hearing on March 12.

Stokes was initially been to mark his return in the ongoing T20 tri-series but his court appearance delayed it.

The 26-year-old will, however, did not play in Sunday's T20 tri-series match against the New Zealand in Hamilton, as confirmed by Captain Eoin Morgan.

He has not played any competitive cricket since his arrest in the Bristol incident on September 25 last year, apart from the domestic cricket for Canterbury in New Zealand in December. He also missed the Ashes Series against Australia.