HERE is the statement from Ben Stokes, read out by his solicitor Paul Lunt outside Bristol Crown Court, after the Durham and England cricketer was cleared of affray.

Mr Lunt said: "Firstly, Ben would like to thank his friends, teammates, family and in particular his wife Clare for their unerring support throughout what 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 has had to maintain his silence at times when many of social media, and certain parts of the press, pre-determined 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.

"On September 25, Ben had been out with teammates celebrating an England win.

"Contrary to some reports, there was no curfew in place. Ben was minding his own business when he came across two men who were subject 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 and 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 on 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."