England cricketer Ben Stokes pleaded not guilty to affray at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday, March 12).

The 26-year-old Durham all-rounder - who missed the Ashes after being suspended from playing for England - is accused of affray with two other men.

Stokes appeared via video link today at Bristol Crown Court for the very brief hearing while Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26 appeared in the dock.

All three men officially entered not guilty pleas.

The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Blair QC said the trial for Stokes, Ali and Hale will start on August 6, 2018 and will last between five and seven days.

It follows an incident 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.

The case is listed for 10am. We will have updates below via our colleagues in Bristol.