Alex Hales is in line for a return to cricket and to England duty following confirmation that he is no longer a suspect in relation to the Ben Stokes incident in Bristol in September.

Hales, who is deemed a witness and will face no charges, is now available for England selection and has also been granted permission by the ECB to play in the inaugural T10 Cricket League in Dubai from December 21-24.

It means he’s set to return to cricket this month – having not played since the Bristol incident – and could well play a part in England’s one-day and T20 series against Australia and New Zealand in January and February.

The ECB’s own disciplinary process relating to the incident will not kick in until a charging decision has been made about Stokes, who is himself currently playing domestic cricket for Canterbury in New Zealand.