ECB clears Ben Stokes participation in the IPL

Nothing seems to be going Ben Stokes’ way ever since the late night brawl in September that barred him from representing his country at the game’s highest level. Stokes, who was arrested after that incident outside the nightclub in Bristol along with his teammate Alex Hales, has failed to receive any clearance on his availability for the national side.

The ongoing investigation resulted in his ouster from the Ashes squad after being picked as the vice-captain of the team. England struggled with the balance of the team and their pacers haven’t been lethal enough to bowl Australia out cheap if they’ve bowled them out at all. They thus lost the urn after losing all of the first three Tests.

Permitted to play the IPL

Very recently ECB also named his replacement in the ODI squad for the series against the Aussies that will follow the Ashes. Batsman Dawid Malan who has impressed most with his outings in the Test series took his place in the ODI side. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) wouldn’t restrict his participation in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Stokes last season represented Rising Pune Supergiant and had a major role to play in the team’s quest for the trophy but unfortunately couldn’t cross the last hurdle in the final. The Durham all-rounder did justice to his whopping bid of 14 crores at the auction as he bagged the ‘Player of the tournament’ in his first ever IPL stint.

Could muster a huge bid at the auction

It could well prove to be a blessing in disguise for the all-rounder as he would be in every franchise’s auction sheet. His all-round abilities to strike the ball big and pick wickets is a kind of prospect that every team would look to implant in their side.

Since he hasn’t been included in the national team, the 26-year-old sneaked in to play six limited-overs games for Canterbury in New Zealand‘s domestic circuit, to keep his skills all sharp and ready to return whenever he receives a call.