England left red-faced over Stokes' court date

Ben Stokes' return to international cricket was thrown into fresh doubt on Thursday when he was instructed to appear in court on the same day as his potential England comeback match in New Zealand.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the all-rounder is due to make for a first appearance to answer an affray charge at Bristol Magistrates' Court on February 13.

On the same day, England play New Zealand in a T20 in Wellington, their first game in a tri-series also involving Australia.

Earlier this week, Stokes was cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to resume his England career in New Zealand although no date was set for his actual return.

But head coach Trevor Bayliss suggested Stokes would not walk back into the team, either due to a lack of match practice or the incumbent players.

"From the coach or selector's point of view, there's nothing better than having a difficult decision like that," he said.

"If we play well in these next four games and we win, it might be very, very difficult for him to come straight back in. In the last couple of years you probably wouldn't have been able to say that but where this team have got to - this one-day team - is a great position to be in.

"One of the reasons that we have been successful in the one-day game is because we have more than 11 blokes competing for 11 spots."

Jos Buttler, the limited-overs vice-captain, insists the squad will be delighted to have the allrounder back.

"I think anyone who has come across Ben will know that if there is ever a guy who will be able to manage these kind of things and come out of the other side of it very well it is Ben," he said.

"He's one of the best players in the world and having him come back into our team is fantastic."

Stokes was left out of the party for this winter's Ashes series after being suspended from playing for his country as police decided whether to press charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September.

The 26-year-old is accused of affray alongside two other men.

Stokes' recall has received a mixed reception in England, with some observers questioning why he has been allowed to return when facing charges.

After England's tri-nation series, they remain in New Zealand to play five ODIs and two Tests against the Black Caps.

with AAP