Stokes named in England T20 team

Controversial cricketer Ben Stokes has been named in England’s Twenty20 squad to play New Zealand and Australia.

It means Stokes could be returning to New Zealand for international duties after playing here earlier in the summer for Canterbury.

‘‘Ben Stokes is included, though his involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September,’’ a press release by England Cricket said of the looming T20 Tri-Series on either side of the Tasman in February.

‘‘Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage.’’

Stokes was earlier named in England’s squad for a one-day series in Australia this monthy but was replaced by Dawid Malan when there was no resolution on his police case in time for him to be ready for action.

England have indicated that Stokes will be free to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League T20 competition this year.

England are ranked fourth on the International Cricket Council’s T20 charts – above seventh-placed Australia but below top-ranked New Zealand.

England made the final of the last World T20 in 2016 where they lost to the West Indies with Stokes having the winning runs hit off his bowling.

Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow, who played in all five Ashes tests against Australia and are set to take part in the ODI series, have been rested from the T20 series.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, top order batsman James Vince and Sydney Sixers wicketkeeperbatsman Sam Billings are in the T20 squad to be led by white ball captain Eoin Morgan.

Batsmen Joe Root and Malan, along with pace bowler Tom Curran are the other test players to be selected for the T20 series.

After a warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra on February 2, they have matches against Australia in Hobart and Melbourne and then New Zealand in Wellington and Hamilton.

The Tri-Series final will be held at Auckland’s Eden Park on February 21.