HOW’S THAT FOR A FARCE!
February 13: Stokes set for England return in T20 February 13: Er... that’s the day he’s due in court
Ben Stokes’ england comeback plans got an embarrassing jolt yesterday when it was announced his first court appearance falls on the same day as his proposed return to action.
Fewer than 24 hours after england announced Stokes would make his return in a Twenty20 fixture against new Zealand in Wellington on February 13, the Crown Prosecution Service chose the same day for him to attend Bristol Magistrates’ Court.
Stokes will be required to attend in person after being charged with affray following the early-hours altercation in Bristol on September 25 that led to the 26-year-old’s england exile.
This week, a criminal investigation that previously moved at glacial pace has hurtled along. Stokes and two other men, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, were charged on Monday. The eCB board met on Tuesday to discuss Stokes’ future. His suspension was lifted on Wednesday, only for those plans to be delayed following a CPS statement yesterday.
When news broke of Stokes’ availability, it came with a caveat from the eCB that it was subject to ongoing legal proceedings. They could not have envisaged such darkly comic timing.
now instead of playing in his native new Zealand, Stokes will be in court. He indicated via Twitter he intends to clear his name, suggesting he will plead not guilty. He must then decide whether his case is heard by magistrates or in the crown court.
So swift was yesterday’s turn of events that contact had not been made with Canterbury regarding a potential return for Stokes. A spell in new Zealand cricket was designed to give Stokes competitive action ahead of his international return. He played three 50-over and three T20 games for Canterbury before returning to england for Christmas.
earlier, england coach Trevor Bayliss had said Stokes would be ‘welcomed back with open arms’ by players and coaches, but there would be no guarantees over his place when the five-match ODI series with new Zealand begins on February 25. Although his schedule included two T20s plus a potential triangular series final, it is the day-night 50-over opener in Hamilton that Bayliss pinpointed as Stokes’ real target.
Such are his all-round talents, it is almost inconceivable Stokes would not return to balance a side operating with a five-man attack in his absence.
Indeed, he was the only england player to be named in the ICC’s 50-over team of 2017 yesterday.
But the problem is who to omit from the top. As captain, vice- captain and best batsman respectively, eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler and Joe Root are bulletproof. As is Jason Roy thanks to the england record 180 he hit to put the tourists 1-0 up against Australia last Sunday.
That leaves Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales. neither would deserve the axe based on performances over the past 12 months.
It left Bayliss to say: ‘Having not played for so long, if we play well in these next four games in Australia, it might be very difficult for Stokes to come straight back in.
‘In the last couple of years you wouldn’t have been able to say that, but this one-day team has got to a great position.
‘We have more than 11 blokes competing for 11 spots. In the Test team we haven’t had more than 11 competing.
‘It’s good for english cricket when you have pressure from within. For the coaches or selectors, there’s nothing better than having a difficult choice like that.’
By then, Stokes will have missed five Ashes Tests, seven ODIs and up to five T20s. Bayliss and Root will discuss with selectors whether he reclaims his Test vicecaptaincy from James Anderson ahead of March’s two-match series with the Black Caps.
Bayliss added: ‘Ben’s a leader. The team follow his lead. He doesn’t take a backward step. We have a bunch of guys who are reasonably passive. You need someone who is more outgoing. Ben’s that type of guy. When he’s been injured before it’s been a part of our game we’ve missed.’
naturally, Stokes’ every move will be scrutinised when he returns but Buttler, first an acquaintance in junior representative cricket, said: ‘Anyone who has come across Ben will know that if there is ever a guy who will be able to manage these kind of things and come out of the other side of it very well it is him.
‘ He’s obviously one of the best players in the world and I think, as a fan of cricket, it is fantastic that he is going to be back playing.’