Ben Stokes’ hopes of resuming his international career promptly appear set to lie in the hands of an independent Cricket Discipline Commission.

There was no immediate statement forthcoming from the England and Wales Cricket Board after the all-rounder was cleared of affray at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday lunchtime.

The anticipated timetable of events therefore remains that the CDC, which acts independently under the auspices of the ECB, will soon resume deliberations that had to remain on hold while court proceedings took precedence.

Stokes was cleared, alongside co-defendant Ryan Ali, following the late-night events of September last year – when a fight broke out in the street outside a Bristol nightclub.

England’s premier all-rounder subsequently missed the remainder of the ongoing one-day international series against West Indies and then last winter’s Ashes – before returning during the tour of New Zealand.

He had to miss last week’s Lord’s Test victory over India, because of a clash with his court case – and on Monday, he was left out of an unchanged squad to play at Trent Bridge in the third match of five which gets under way on Saturday.

The CDC was initially convened to also consider the behaviour of Stokes’ England team-mate Alex Hales, who was present as well on the night in question in Bristol.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among the first to react to Stokes’ acquittal.

On Twitter, he urged England to clear him to play again as soon as possible.

Vaughan wrote: “I think the fact he missed the whole of the Winter in Australia is punishment enough for Ben Stokes .. I personally think now he has been proven to be Not Guilty he should be allowed to play .”

Stokes’ England team-mate Jonny Bairstow voiced his hopes that they will be playing together again soon.

He told Sky Sports News: “It has been a long 10 months for him and his family.

“I’m delighted and hope we can see him back in an England shirt very soon.”