Nottinghamshire batsman Joe Clarke is to stand trial for affray after pleading ‘not guilty’ at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on June 15.

The charge relates to allegations he was involved in a brawl in Powys in July 2020. The 25-year-old appeared alongside three of his family members and one other. The other four also indicated pleas of ‘not guilty’, and all were granted unconditional bail prior to a hearing at Mold Crown Court on July 16.

Notts have indicated that Clarke will continue to be available for selection. A statement from the club said: “The club is aware of the situation involving Joe Clarke and will await the outcome of those proceedings in due course.”

Clarke is one of the most highly rated young batsmen in England, and confirmed his talent with a blistering T20 Blast century on Sunday, June 13, two days before his court appearance. However, his career has been marked by controversy, with the top-order bat sanctioned by the ECB for his involvement in a WhatsApp group in which what a judge described as a “pathetic sexist game to collect as many sexual encounters as possible” was played out.

The judge’s comments came during the trial of Alex Hepburn, Clarke’s former teammate, who was jailed for five years for rape.