Controversial England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been charged with affray following an incident in Bristol last September.

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced on Monday, Stokes, 26, had been charged after he and teammate Alex Hales were arrested following a punch-up outside a Bristol nightclub and released under investigation.

Stokes has not played for England since the incident, missing out on the Ashes tour to Australia.

The Bristol street brawl was captured on camera and left a man hospitalised with facial injuries, just hours after Stokes played in England’s ODI victory over the West Indies at the Bristol Cricket Ground.

The Sun newspaper later published footage of what it said was a brawl between Stokes and two other people, one clutching a bottle.

Stokes and two other men are due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a date to be fixed.

He posted on Twitter that he was ‘keen to have an opportunity’ to clear his name.

“I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on day one – the same day as the incident – and have cooperated at each step of the police inquiry,” he added.

“The CPS’ decision… at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public.”

Stokes was named last week in England’s Twenty20 squad for the tri-series against Australia and New Zealand next month but his participation was dependent on whether he was charged.

“ECB is aware that Ben Stokes has been charged with affray in relation to an incident in Bristol in September,” an ECB spokesperson said.

“The Board will now convene within 48 hours to decide on Ben Stokes’ availability to represent England at this stage.

“A further announcement will be made in due course.”