England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said he is keen to clear his name after being charged with affray.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Monday the cricketer had been charged following a fight outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

Two other men have also been charged in relation to the matter and they will appear at a magistrates' court in due course.

Stokes, who missed England's Ashes series in Australia over the winter following the incident, wrote on Twitter: "I want to thank all those who have continued to support me in relation to the Bristol incident, not least my family, friends, fans and team-mates.

"I gave a full and detailed account of my actions to the police on day one – the same day as the incident – and have co-operated at each step of the police inquiry. I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name but, on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial.

"The CPS's decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public. Until then, my focus is very much on cricket."

Stokes, 26, was arrested following the incident, which occurred in the early hours of September 25 some time after England beat the West Indies in a one-day international in Bristol.

He was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board as police conducted inquiries.

He consequently missed the Ashes series in Australia although he was allowed to play some club cricket in New Zealand for Canterbury.

He was ruled out of England's ongoing one-day series in Australia last week but was given permission to play in the next Indian Premier League competition. He was also named in the England squad for the Test series in New Zealand in March but his availability will now be discussed by the board.

An ECB spokesperson said: "ECB is aware that Ben Stokes has been charged with affray in relation to an incident in Bristol in September.

"The Board will now convene within 48 hours to decide on Ben Stokes' availability to represent England at this stage.

"A further announcement will be made in due course."

No date has yet been fixed for Stokes' court appearance.

Scotland, meanwhile, will start their campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan.

Grant Bradburn's side will kick off their bid on March 4 before facing Hong Kong plus the runners-up in February's six-team World Cricket League Division Two and then hosts Zimbabwe on March 12.

The top three in both five-team groups then play off for two places in the World Cup in England and Wales in 2019.

Scotland also need to finish in the top three places among Associate Members outside of World Cricket League champions Holland to retain one-day-international status until 2022.

Scotland will play warm-up games against Papua New Guinea and Ireland in Zimbabwe. They also face Ireland on Tuesday in Dubai in the first of four matches against their Celtic rivals and hosts United Arab Emirates, which form part of their preparations for their qualifying bid.