The Stokes Ashes conundrum
Ben Stokes could be fast-tracked into England’s Ashes tour party in a little over 48 hours if he is cleared by police in England over his actions in a street brawl in Bristol two months ago.
Kiwi-born Stokes arrived in Christchurch yesterday morning, greeted at the airport by his parents who live in the garden city.
Canterbury Cricket was holding a meeting last night to decide whether he can play for its Kings side in the national 50-over competition.
There is feverish speculation that if the move is approved that Stokes would soon join the England team for the third Ashes test in Perth.
While he has been suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board from international play, it has given him a no-objection certificate, allowing him to play for Canterbury.
If Canterbury Cricket agrees, he is expected to line up in the Ford Trophy match against Otago in Rangiora on Sunday.
in London said Stokes was still in limbo in regard to international cricket, as there had been no update on whether he will be charged by police, but it is understood the 26-year-old gave his final statement to detectives last week.
‘‘If he is cleared, the ECB has a contingency plan enabling it to convene a board meeting within 48 hours, after which its disciplinary commission would be able to meet,’’ Nick Hoult reported from Adelaide where England are preparing for the second test.
‘‘It is thought likely they would consider any suspension to have been served retrospectively, meaning he could be available for selection as little as two days after being cleared.’’
It is not known when Somerset and Avon police will make their decision on whether to charge Stokes, but the third test in Perth does not start until December 14. There is then an eight-day break before the Boxing Day test begins in Melbourne.
Hoult said the England coaching staff were understood to be desperate for Stokes to be allowed to rejoin the squad, but it was a ‘‘very tricky situation’’ for the ECB.
‘‘If Stokes is charged, any disciplinary sanctions would be put on hold for fear of prejudicing a future criminal trial. But it could be months before his case was heard and the temptation would be to allow him to play cricket again before he appears in court. By agreeing an NOC for New Zealand, the ECB has opened the door for him to fulfil his lucrative contracts in the Indian Premier League next April, as long as it does not coincide with any judicial hearings.’’
There are members of the ECB’s board who do not want Stokes anywhere near the Ashes tour, fearing the bad publicity it would attract, Hoult said.
‘‘But the coaching staff think that to compete with Australia, they need Stokes on board. He balances the team by batting at six, which reduces the length of the tail, and he is the only English cricketer with the aggression to match the Australians.’’
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Stokes was in talks with Canterbury.
However, on his arrival at Christchurch airport, Stokes would not answer questions about his chances of doing that, or an Ashes recall or the ongoing police investigation.
Stokes’ parents, Gerard and Deb, greeted him when he landed just after 11.25am on Singapore Airlines flight SQ297.
‘‘Yeah, just looking forward to seeing mum and dad, to be honest, and the family as well,’’ Stokes said when asked about his immediate plans.
‘‘Catching up with everyone I haven’t seen in a very long time.’’
He wheeled several large cricket bags on his luggage trolley, increasing the likelihood he is set for a return to the sport.
Golf could be on the agenda too. ‘‘Just work on my golf swing’’, he said, ‘‘[It’s] all right].’’
Stokes grew up in Christchurch and Wellington before his family moved to England at the age of 12 when his father became coach of the Workington Town rugby league team.
He played schoolboy cricket for Merivale-Papanui in Christchurch, but couldn’t recall those days.
‘‘I can’t remember [what club I played for]. It’s been that long since I’ve been back here. I’m 26 now and it’s been a long time.’’
Stokes signed an autograph for a fan before he and his family jumped into a lift, escaping the small band of assembled media.
- Stuff and The Daily Telegraph