Stokes strokes 34 to rediscover his form

SUSPENDED England allrounder Ben Stokes has shown improved form with the bat, scoring 34 for Canterbury in a New Zealand provincial oneday match against Auckland.

Playing in his country of birth while waiting to learn if he’ll be summoned to join England’s Ashes campaign, Stokes faced 41 balls and hit four boundaries at Eden Park in his second match for Canterbury yesterday.

He came to the wicket with Canterbury 2-45 and forged a 36-run third-wicket partnership with opener Michael Pollard before being trapped lbw trying to sweep leg spinner Tarun Nethula.

It was a more encouraging knock than when a rusty Stokes fell for two in his debut on Sunday.

Christchurch-born Stokes, 26, hasn’t played for England since an incident in Bristol on September 25 in which a man suffered a fractured eye socket.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is waiting to learn if he’ll face civil charges over that incident before any decision is made on his playing future and he is suspended only from international cricket in the meantime.

UK media have reported Stokes will be a provisional inclusion in the England oneday squad named later this week for the five-match series against Australia next month.

Stokes struggled with both bat and ball in his Canterbury debut against Otago three days ago, facing seven balls before being bowled by Otago spinner Anaru Kitchen.

He sent down nine overs and conceded 49 runs.