Ben Stokes' defence lawyer has questioned whether the cricketer is being singled out because of his status as one of the best players in the game.

Stokes, 27, widely regarded as one of the finest all-rounders on the planet, was at Bristol Crown Court Monday morning as his trial rolled into its second week.

The charge relates to a night out in Bristol on September 25 last year when the cricketer was involved in a street fight with co-accused Ryan Ali, 28, and his friend Ryan Hale, 27, who was acquitted last week.

Gordon Cole QC, representing Stokes, warned jurors that his client may have been getting "special treatment" because of his profile.

"Throughout this trial there has been a focus on Ben Stokes," Mr Cole said. "Is this man getting special treatment because of who he is?"