I FEEL SO STOKE-D

Ben happy to be back but Eoin’s boys crash

BEN STOKES made a losing return after five months away – but still put a smile back on England’s faces.

New Zealand clinched a three-wicket win in the final over of the first one-day international in Hamilton.

But the sight of Stokes in an England shirt once again was enough to cheer the Barmy Army.

The all-rounder hadn’t played for his country since the late-night incident in Bristol in September that saw him suspended for the Ashes and charged with affray.

But he made an instant impact with ® two wickets in a feisty spell that saw him nudge the 90mph mark. Skipper Eoin Morgan said: “He’s delighted to be back, he’s told everybody that.

“It’s an awesome feeling, when you have been away and you’re back in a fun environment, with lots of good friends around. You come back and it puts a smile on your face.”

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, who was top scorer for England with 79, added: “Ben bowled the quickest of the lot. He hit the gloves hard. It is fantastic to have him back. We are delighted.”

Stokes looked rusty with the bat, making just 12 from 22 deliveries as England posted 284.

Destructive

But in his second spell with the ball he broke a 178-run stand between Tom Latham and Ross Taylor. Then he sent Colin de Grandhomme on his way after Tom Curran got Henry Nicholls for a duck. Mitchell Santner’s destructive cameo of 45 from 27 balls, following Taylor’s brilliant 113, saw New Zealand home with four balls to spare. Joe Root made 71, his eighth 50-plus score in just 11 matches this winter on his return to action, after he was rested for the recent T20 Tri-Series. Stokes and Co have another crack at the Kiwis in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday. But paceman Mark Wood is a worry after the ankle injury that forced him to miss the Ashes flared up again.