Stokes struggles in return to sport for Canterbury at Rangiora

Controversial English star Ben Stokes made an inauspicious return to competitive cricket, but Canterbury believe he’ll only benefit from the much-needed hitout.

The suspended Stokes made his highly anticipated return to the sport on Sunday, representing his birth province Canterbury, who lost by three wickets against Otago in their Ford Trophy 50-over encounter.

A crowd of about 350 lined the grass bank at Rangiora’s Mainpower Oval in rural North Canterbury, to get a glimpse of this week’s most talked about cricketer in the world. Stokes, who remains barred by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following his involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol club that left a man with a fractured eye socket, struggled in his first match in 69 days.

Wearing the No 55 shirt, Stokes made just two with the bat, lasting seven deliveries and six minutes. It was a frustrating afternoon with the ball too as Stokes went 0-49 from nine overs. After two spells of four overs, Stokes came back on in the 47th over and was whacked for a six by tailender Jacob Duffy.

Canterbury Cricket’s director of cricket Gary Stead said it was always going to take time for Stokes to find his feet after such a lengthy layoff. Stokes was unavailable to speak to media following the game.

Stead backed him to grow from the experience and expected him to play in Canterbury’s next match away to Auckland on Wednesday. It is a game-by-game approach for Canterbury with Stokes as he eyes a return to England’s Ashes side.

‘‘I think if anything he tried too hard. It was expected he was going to be a little bit rusty. I think he’ll be better for the run, I’m sure of that,’’ Stead said.

His hopes of an Ashes recall hinges on the outcome of a police investigation, which was passed onto the Crown Prosecution Service by Avon and Somerset Police on Thursday (NZT).

Stead ruled out any possible side strain issue for Stokes while bowling and said he had pulled up fine after his first outing in more than two months.

‘‘I think it’s just general stiffness, There’s no injury problems at all there. That’s too be expected after the first game.’’