Stokes could make shock NZ appearance

Ben Stokes could line up for New Zealand side Canterbury as early as this Sunday, at the same time as England management have slapped a strict midnight curfew on their Ashes squad.

Stokes is due to arrive in New Zealand today, where he is expected to visit family in Christchurch, and the potential for him to take the field in domestic cricket in NZ shapes as a stunning development in his bid to play in the Ashes.

The troubled star is still under police investigation for an alleged assault, with conflicting reports out of the UK over whether he will be cleared.

However, it is understood there is a huge push from England to get Stokes on to the field for the third Ashes Test in Perth.

That would be entirely dependent on whether police lay charges, but there is strong speculation out of England that Stokes could make an incredible return to cricket in NZ.

Canterbury cricket coach Gary Stead emphatically denied that any discussions had taken place with Stokes.

However, he didn’t shut the door on the prospect of a deal being done that could mean Stokes being drafted into the Canterbury side for a 50-over match on Sunday.

“Well if he comes here and he wants to talk to us around it, and obviously he had a lot of clearances he would have to go to through with New Zealand cricket and the ECB and our board for example, then we’d certainly consider it,” Stead said.

“But there’s a lot of water that would have to go under the bridge between now and then.”