Suspended England allrounder Ben Stokes signed with New Zealand provincial side Canterbury on Thursday, fuelling speculation he is preparing for a dramatic Ashes call-up. Canterbury said in a statement that Stokes had signed as the team's overseas player and would be eligible for a one-day match against Otago on Sunday. Canterbury chief executive Jez Curwin played down any link to Stokes' Ashes ambitions. Stokes is currently banned from international cricket while police investigate his alleged involvement in a late- night fight outside a Bristol nightclub. The England team touring Australia have sorely missed his presence, slumping to a 10-wicket defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Source: dna November 30, 2017 11:49 UTC