England’s team management has finally decided to include their premier all-rounder Ben Stokes in their squad for the five-match one-day international series against New Zealand starting later this month.

Stokes will soon be appearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 13 to answer a charge of a brawl following an incident outside a nightclub in September. England is scheduled to play New Zealand in a Twenty20 international in Wellington on the same day.

Also read: Hearing date of Bristol brawl

The southpaw all-rounder, who has not played international cricket since the incident in Bristol, was cleared for selection by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last month. The fast bowler Jake Ball has been dropped from the squad along with batsman Dawid Malan who was called in as cover for Stokes during last month’s 4-1 one-day series victory against Australia.

Talking about the selection of Ben, English chairman of selectors James Whitaker said, “Our ODI side has made excellent progress over the last three years and it’s encouraging to see with the 2019 World Cup on the horizon.”

England’s squad for the New Zealand series: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper), Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.