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Ben Stokes keen to focus on England rather than off-field issues

Ben Stokes v India
Image: Ben Stokes says he wants to look ahead rather than dwell on his recent off-field issues

Ben Stokes says he wants to focus on his future with England and leave his recent off-field issues behind him.

It has been 13 months since the all-rounder was arrested after a night out in Bristol and two months since he was found not guilty of affray, but the unhappy chapter is not yet fully closed.

Both he and team-mate Alex Hales face a cricket discipline commission hearing in December, charged with bringing the game into disrepute, and only then can he truly move on.

Ben Stokes arrives at Bristol Crown Court ahead of day four of trial
Image: Ben Stokes was found not guilty of affray following a trial at Bristol Crown Court

The incident has already caused him to miss last winter's Ashes tour as well as a Test against India this summer - and Stokes is desperate to draw a line under the matter.

"Look, it's all about looking forward now. Looking at things that went on is not the way I like to think about things," he said.

"It's all about looking to the future. Everything I do from here onwards is what people will hopefully remember. That's what I'm trying to do.

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"We've got a huge summer coming up with the Ashes and the World Cup so I'm fully focused on that. With them both being in England it's really exciting."

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Asked about the CDC hearing, which will take place in London on December 5 and December 7, he added: "I'm totally focused on cricket now.

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales, England
Image: Ben Stokes and Alex Hales face a disciplinary hearing in December

"With such a big summer coming up, there's other things on my mind that take precedence over that."

For now, the task at hand involves regaining momentum on the tour of Sri Lanka.

England have already won the one-day series 3-1, but lost the rain-affected closing match by 219 runs on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern.

Saturday's one-off Twenty20 in Colombo represents a chance for England to reassert themselves and Stokes is eager to grasp it.

"It was a wake-up in that last game, the way Sri Lanka came out," he added to talkSPORT.

"I don't recall the last time we were hit for 360 as a bowling unit or played so poorly with the bat. It was a big learning curve. It gave us a big kick up the arse. Hopefully we can right those wrongs."

during the 5th One Day International match between Sri Lanka and England at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 23, 2018 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Image: Head coach Trevor Bayliss has been critical of Stokes' training methods after he suffered cramp in the final one day international against Sri Lanka

Stokes top-scored with 67 despite regular attacks of cramp in his right calf.

Head coach Trevor Bayliss has suggested Stokes might have been guilty of working too hard in the gym and should consider 'training smarter'.

Stokes added: "I don't think it's a criticism. It's a tough one...do I do too much? I'm not sure. Maybe (I should) just try and lessen it a little bit I guess. The last game was the first time we've really spent 50 overs in the field and that did have an effect with the cramp."

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