Stokes touches down for another flying visit

Ben Stokes has arrived in New Zealand for the second time this summer, and is one step closer to his England return.

The 26-year-old all-rounder travelled from London via Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, and touched down just after 3.30pm yesterday.

At Auckland Airport, Stokes was met by two England staffers, who escorted him to the car park. He remained tight-lipped and

didn’t say anything to a waiting media pack.

On Tuesday, Stokespleaded not guilty to a charge of affray in Bristol Magistrates’ Court and was granted bail.

The first hearing of his trial is scheduled for March 12 at the city’s Crown Court, but he is not required to attend.

Stokes will train with England today in Hamilton, where they have a Twenty20 against the Black Caps at Seddon Park on Sunday.

England coach Trevor Bayliss said earlier this week that Stokes wouldn’t be considered for that match, and that it was unlikely he would feature in the first of five one-day internationals, at the same venue a week later.

He hasn’t played an international since September 24, when he scored 72 against West Indies in Bristol, then a few hours later was involved in a fight outside a nightclub in which a 27-year-old man’s eye socket was allegedly fractured. Two other men appeared alongside Stokes on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty, with all three granted bail.

After the five ODIS, England finish their tour with a pair of tests, in Auckland and Christchurch.

Bayliss said earlier this week that there were unlikely to be any problems with Stokes rejoining the squad.

‘‘Don’t forget, he wasn’t the only one who was out that night, there was a few others.

‘‘They all can’t wait for him to come back. He’s a very popular member of the squad, one of the leaders of the squad and there won’t be any problems whatsoever.’’

Stokes was previously in New Zealand in November and December, for what began as a trip to visit his parents, Gerard and Deb, in Christchurch, but ended with him playing six matches for Canterbury in the country’s domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions.