Stokes out for a duck in latest outing
CHRISTCHURCH: England allrounder Ben Stokes’ search for rehabilitation in New Zealand encountered another roadblock Sunday when he was run out for a one-ball duck in his latest innings for Canterbury province at Christchurch.
Stokes is playing for the province of his birth in New Zealand’s domestic one-day competition while he waits for prosecutors in England to decide whether he will be charged for his role in a brawl outside a nightclub in September.
The 27-year-old New Zealandborn all-rounder is suspended from the England team.
By playing for Canterbury, outside the scope of his suspension, he has a chance to find form in case he is recalled by England for the current Ashes test series in Australia. That could happen as early as next week’s third Test in Perth if he is not charged.
Stokes has already been named in England’s one-day team to play in Australia next month but that selection is provisional on any decision made by police and England’s Crown Prosecution Service. Sunday’s match was Stokes’ third for Canterbury since he arrived in New Zealand late last month to visit family. His parents, Deb and Gerard Stokes, live in Christchurch.
Stokes made 2 runs and took no wicket in his first match and scored 34, took a catch but no wickets in his second match.
On Sunday he claimed his first wicket in 24 overs in Canterbury colors, catching former New Zealand one-day player Anton Devcich from his own bowling. Devcich top-scored with 59 in Northern’s total of 274 and Stokes finished with 1-56 from 10 overs.
He had faced only one ball when he was run out during Canterbury’s reply. Opener Michael Pollard hit a lofted shot to mid-on, Stokes watched the ball rather than his partner and was run out by a direct hit from the field by Brett Randell. Northern Districts won the match by 43 runs.