Ben Stokes intent on putting 2018 behind him heading into World Cup and Ashes year

Two months on from his acquittal in court on an affray charge, England all-rounder Ben Stokes has spoken candidly about how his mind is set on a big year for English cricket in 2019.

His arrest in September 2017 led to a court appearance which kept him out of England’s second Test against India at Lord’s, while he also missed the Ashes series Down Under last winter as the ECB waited on the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision on whether they had enough evidence to proceed to court.

But after a jury returned a not guilty verdict and criminal proceedings were at an end, the ECB notified Stokes he will face a disciplinary commission in December where he, and teammate Alex Hales, will defend themselves against a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

Eager to move onto the next chapter of his career, the Durham all-rounder was clear on his thoughts.

“Look, it’s all about looking forward now. Looking at things that went on is not the way I like to think about things,” he said.

“It’s all about looking to the future. Everything I do from here onwards is what people will hopefully remember. That’s what I’m trying to do.

“We’ve got a huge summer coming up with the Ashes and the World Cup so I’m fully focused on that. With them both being in England it’s really exciting.”

Stokes played in all five of England’s ODIs against Sri Lanka, a series Eoin Morgan’s side won 3-1.

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