Ben Stokes on his way down under, ECB confirms not for the Ashes

There seemed to be some joy for the English cricket fans when they spotted their star all-rounder Ben Stokes at the Heathrow airport recently. Knowing that Stokes was heading down under, the hopes of the fans grew as they started speculating his possible Ashes entry. However, the England and the Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was quick to quash all these hopes.

As per the recent reports in Sportskeeda, ECB confirmed that Ben Stokes was travelling to New Zealand to meet his parents. The board remarked that the trip was not sponsored by them and hence it is nothing but a private trip for the all-rounder.

“The ECB is aware that Ben Stokes is making a private trip to New Zealand to spend time with his family. His travel arrangements have not been arranged by the ECB. He is not on his way to the Ashes, England Lions or any other official training camps with the England set up,” the ECB quoted in a statement.

ECB awaiting the verdict

Meanwhile, the head of the ECB, Andrew Strauss, noted that there has been no significant developments in the case of Ben Stokes. Stokes was allegedly found guilty of an assault on an individual in Bristol a couple of months ago. This saw him being detained by the police and saw him being suspended by the cricket board as well.

“Until that happens, nothing has changed. We’re in the same situation as we have been for quite a long time now. There are certain procedural things that have taken place but there is a process that can only kick in once we’ve heard a charging decision from the police,” quoted Andrew Strauss.

Dean Jones left amused

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that Ben Stokes can possibly play for Canterbury during his stay in New Zealand. This has left the former Australian batsman Dean Jones amused. He took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express his amusement on the issue.

“So that makes me speechless. Why then is he not playing for England? Either he is suspended… or he is not?” Jones quoted.

So that makes me speechless. Why then is he not playing for England? Either he is suspended… or he is not? #surely? https://t.co/kVO48qAxjx

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 28, 2017