Ben Stokes endured a torrid time with bat and ball as he suffered defeat on his Canterbury debut against Otago in New Zealand’s 50-over Ford Trophy.
The 26-year-old flew to New Zealand, the place of his birth, earlier in the week and signed as an overseas player for Canterbury on Thursday, but was dismissed for two and then failed to take a wicket in his nine overs as Otago claimed a three-wicket win.
Otago won the toss and elected to bowl in Rangiora and Stokes was brought to the crease earlier than anticipated as Canterbury fell to five for two inside three overs. However, his innings only lasted seven balls as he played on to 33-year-old left-arm spinner Anaru Kitchen to leave his new side struggling on 10 for three.
It was Stokes’s first innings since 24 September. That was the day he made 73 in an ODI against West Indies, before becoming involved in an altercation outside a nightclub in Bristol early the next morning. Stokes and Alex Hales were both suspended by the ECB pending a police investigation, effectively making them unavailable for the Ashes.
Stokes was granted permission by the ECB to play in New Zealand even though he remains under suspension. Avon and Somerset police passed his file to the Crown Prosecution Service last week, reducing the player’s chances of being cleared to play any part in England’s ongoing Ashes series in Australia.
Canterbury eventually reached 221 for nine in their 50 overs, with Stokes then opening the bowling, a four-over spell producing 26 runs. He was brought back for a second four-over stint in the 19th and while he conceded just 15 runs, Rob Nicol managed to hit for six.
A clatter of wickets saw Otago collapse from 175 without loss to 198 for seven, but Stokes ended with figures of nought for 49 off nine overs.
