Ben Stokes has had to “maintain his silence” through an 11-month “ordeal” before being found not guilty of affray, his solicitor has said.

The Durham and England cricketer is “keen to get back to cricket” and within hours of the verdict was recalled to the England squad.

Stokes, 27, was cleared by the jury on Tuesday after a seven-day trial at Bristol Crown Court.

The charge related to a fight outside a Bristol nightclub on September 25, 2017.

The all-rounder has always maintained he stepped in after he witnessed two gay men being verbally abused.

England cricketer Ben Stokes and his wife Clare leaving Bristol Crown Court
England cricketer Ben Stokes and his wife Clare leaving Bristol Crown Court

Stokes’ lawyer Paul Lunt read out a statement on his client’s behalf on the steps outside the court.

He said: “This has been a very difficult period for Ben.

“Today’s verdict represents the end of an 11-month ordeal for Ben during which time he’s had to maintain his silence at times when many on social media and certain parts of the press predetermined his guilt long before the trial began.

“Over the last week the jury have been able to see and hear all of the evidence and not merely what the media have chosen to report.

“The evidence available to the jury included the full range of CCTV footage that shows exactly what happened in September.

“The jury’s decision that Ben is not guilty fairly reflects the truth of what happened in Bristol that night.”

Mr Lunt said his client had been out celebrating an England one-day international win against the West Indies.

England cricketer Ben Stokes leaving Bristol Crown Court
England cricketer Ben Stokes leaving Bristol Crown Court

He continued: “Contrary to some reports there was no curfew in place.

“Ben was minding his own business when he came across two men being subjected to what Ben identified as serious homophobic abuse.

“It was only when others came under threat that Ben became physically engaged with the men in question.

“The steps that he took were solely aimed at ensuring the safety of himself or the others present.

“In addition to the extreme stress placed on Ben and his family by the trial, his intervention that night has already cost Ben the England vice captaincy, his place on an Ashes tour and his place in a number of other England matches.

“The past 11 months have served to highlight to Ben just how highly he values his position as an England representative both in terms of the privilege that role entails and the responsibilities that accompany it.

“Now that the trial is over, Ben is keen to get back to cricket being his sole focus.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Stokes will join the squad for the third test against India which begins on Saturday.

But the all-rounder, and teammate Alex Hales who was with him on the night out, could still face disciplinary action from the sport’s governing body.

Stokes featured in the first test of the India series but missed the second due to the trial.

An ECB spokesman said: “Now that the legal proceedings have concluded, the disciplinary process for Ben Stokes and Alex Hales can be scheduled by the Cricket Discipline Commission [CDC].

“Ben Stokes will now join the England squad for the third Specsavers test against India, which starts at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

“Considerable detail has been heard in this week-long court case and, in due course, there will be a range of matters for the Board to fully consider.”