Stokes to delay travel to New Zealand

England All-Rounder Ben Stokes says he will not travel to New Zealand until after his court date.

Stokes missed the full Ashes, where his country lost 4-0
to Australia. 

The 28-year-old test vice-captain is to contest a charge of affray, after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September after England's ODI against the West Indies in the same city.

The court date, on February 13th, coincides with England's first T20I in New Zealand.

He wrote in a tweet "I have decided that it would not be right to join my teammates until after attending court.."

After the charge was announced, the ECB made Ben available for selection again after a meeting.

His first involvement will now probably be the second T20 on 18th February at Hamilton, almost five months after his last International game.

After the T20's, England will play two Tests and five ODI's with Stokes likely to take part in all the scheduled fixtures.