England cricketer Ben Stokes will go on trial in the British city of Bristol over an altercation outside a nightclub that scuppered his Ashes campaign.
The 26-year-old all-rounder, who missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England, is accused of affray along with two other men.
Stokes appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on Tuesday alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26.
It follows the altercation in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol during the early hours of September 25 last year, several hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies in the city.
It is alleged a 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident, at which fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present.
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Apart from affray, Stokes is accused jointly with Ali and Hale of using or threatening unlawful violence towards another.
All three elected to be tried by a jury at the crown court.
Without Stokes, England lost the Ashes to Australia 4-0.
In a statement after the hearing, the England and Wales Cricket Board said that having entered his plea, Stokes would now travel to New Zealand to join the England squad.
"Any decision to include him in upcoming matches will be made by head coach Trevor Bayliss and the England management team. He is not currently being considered for the ongoing International T20 Tri-Series."
Stokes will front Bristol Crown Court for the first hearing on March 12.
