Stokes Test bid dashed

A ONE-hour meeting with Ben Stokes in Christchurch yesterday convinced excited officials from the Canterbury Cricket Association to sign the suspended all-rounder as its international player.

But news that any charges arising from the Bristol pub clash could still be up to a month away came as a hammer blow to speculation Stokes was in line for a call-up to the third Ashes Test in Perth.

British police yesterday passed the file to the Crown Prosecution Service for “charging advice” causing a fatal delay to any clearance to play Test cricket.

The NZ meeting, which included Canterbury coach Gary Stead, came hours after UK police revealed a man was left with a fractured eye socket after an incident involving Stokes in Bristol on September 25.

The player was arrested that night on suspicion of causing “actual bodily harm” and subsequently suspended from playing for England.

While he has been cleared to play domestic cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board, it would not consider sending him a national SOS until the matter was finalised. Charges would almost certainly rule him out.

Before then, however Stokes, who flew to New Zealand on Tuesday, will play for Canterbury on Sunday in a one-day fixture against Otago.

Canterbury chief executive Jez Curwin said there were “caveats” attached to the contract and Stokes was aware he would most likely be terminated should he be charged.

But Curwin said Stokes, whose parents live in Christchurch, would have his chance to play after the board ticked it off on Tuesday night.

“There will be people that agree and people that won’t agree,” he said. “But we feel, with the support of the ECB and their process behind it, the players association and New Zealand Cricket, it’s not just us saying this is the right thing to do.

“We sought the support from all of the bodies that we need to and the decision has been made that we’re comfortable with.

“There are caveats linked to that based around his personal circumstances. We have been very open and Ben has been very open with us as well.”

Stead said he expected a backlash for signing Stokes a week after Canterbury player Ken McClure was stood down after pleading guilty to assault.

“But I think the consistency we feel we have brought is that Ben has not been charged with anything at this stage,” he said.

“If any charges do come up, then we have our right to review things then.”