England star looks to get back in game

BEN Stokes could be thrust into the third Ashes Test even if he is charged by police, with New Zealand Cricket set to help facilitate the star all- rounder’s return for England.

After arriving in Christchurch yesterday, Stokes is preparing to pull on the pads on Sunday after Canterbury Cricket Association board members gave a strong indication they would sign the 26- year- old, despite him still being the subject of a police investigation.

It is understood terms would be written into the contract that would mean Canterbury would not stand in Stokes’ way if he was picked for an Ashes return.

Canterbury have recently had one of their players, Ken McClure, plead guilty to assault and stand himself down. But board members see the Stokes situation as different because he has not had his day in court, let alone been charged by police.

There is speculation that authorities may sting Stokes with a lesser charge of affray, after he was arrested under suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

England have put systems in place to hold an extraordinary disciplinary hearing within 48 hours of police handing down their final deliberations on Stokes.

The ECB is likely l to b backk date Stokes’ ban so that the first and second Ashes Tests constitute his suspension.

The all- rounder’s current substitute in the England squad, Chris Woakes, said Stokes would be welcomed back with open arms.

“As an England team, we’d w like to see him here,” Woakes told The Independent. “As a player, as a friend, I’d like to see him here.

“No one likes to see what he’s been through. We’d have him here with open arms.

“Ben’s a world- class cricketer and he’d make any team in the world better.”

England great Ian Botham has been predicting that Stokes would play in the Ashes. The NZ power play by the ECB has given further legs to his suspicions.

“Ben Stokes has been sensible. He’s got out of England, which is a good sign I would suggest,” Botham said. “If there were real complications with the pro- cedure I doubt they’d have let him go.”

Australian cricket stakeholders are staggered that the ECB would allow Stokes to play in the Ashes, based on the damning video that was published by The Sun newspaper.

Former Test batsman Damien Martyn disagrees and believes the whole country is hoping Stokes gets on a plane to Perth.

“He’s a quality player. He’s one of those great allrounders,” Martyn said.

“It’s unfortunate, everything that has happened. But hopefully the process he’s going through – he’s flown out to New Zealand … it’s probably a good way to go.”