Ben Stokes doesn't view England's World Cup summer as a shot at personal redemption after his high-profile court date last year, insisting: "I don't have to prove myself to anyone".

Cumbrian Stokes has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, pulling off a wonder catch in the first match against South Africa. 

The all-rounder, from Cockermouth, will continue to be on the front line as England pursue the trophy, in part one of a golden summer which also sees them take on Australia for the Ashes.

Yet less than a year ago, Stokes might have been wondering if he would still have an international career, having been cleared of affray after a late night altercation in September 2017. 

Stokes, 28, accepts the incident will always be with him but has been able to re-commit to the challenges ahead.

He said: "We've got the World Cup and the Ashes, and people have said to me 'Are you trying to prove yourself all over again?'.

"But I don't have to do that. I don't have to prove myself to anyone. I only have to prove things to myself. 

"I'm not looking to please anyone or to go out there and do something individually great. As long as England win, I don't really care about trying to prove a point to people.

"What I have learned is that the people I need - who are important to what I do and who I want to be - are around me. Before, you try to please everyone but you just can't do it. 

"There are other lessons, obviously, but that's the main thing."

Stokes also spoke about leading his country in the future after losing his Test vice-captaincy role in his time away from the side. 

"If you get the opportunity and they ask you to do it, you're not going to say no but, at the moment, that's not in my mind," he said in an interview with Red Bulletin.

England play the West Indies in their third World Cup game on Friday.