No more blank bats: Stokes finds new sponsor

Ben Stokes has found a new sponsor in cricket kit supplier Gunn and Moore following the loss of a previous deal with New Balance last October.

Stokes will now use the company's brand on his bats which have been largely plain since his return to international cricket in February.

Nottingham-based Gunn and Moore tweeted: "GM is delighted to announce the signing of Ben Stokes to a long term cricket bat and equipment contract with immediate effect."

His deal with New Balance - reported to be worth around GBP200,000 - was terminated in October shortly after Stokes had apologised for a video in which he appeared to mock Katie Price's disabled son Harvey with the company saying "it does not condone behaviour... that does not match our brand culture and values".

That video emerged in the aftermath of Stokes' arrest in Bristol following the incident outside the Mbargo nightclub. Stokes was subsequently charged with affray to which he pleaded not guilty and his trial will begin at Bristol Crown Court on August 6 which means he will miss the second Test against India.

Stokes played his first Test since September against New Zealand in Auckland having missed the Ashes.