STOKES GOES WICKETLESS AGAIN FOR CANTERBURY

England all-rounder made 34 with the bat in the Ford Trophy against Auckland

Ben Stokes spent more time in the middle but endured another frustrating appearance for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy on Wednesday.

The England all-rounder, who is still waiting to hear whether he is to be charged over an alleged assault in Bristol in September, featured in the New Zealand club side's clash with Auckland at Eden Park.

After making just two runs on his debut on Sunday, Stokes did at least get a longer stay at the crease under his belt, hitting four boundaries in his 34 from 41 balls before being trapped lbw by Tarun Nethula.

However, he found life tough with the ball once again and once again went wicketless, bowling seven overs without success and going for 39 runs.

Canterbury lost the game in comprehensive fashion.

^{Ben Stokes was in action for Canterbury again on Wednesday}

^{Stokes made 34 before being trapped lbw}

After making 277 for nine from their 50 overs, with Todd Astle top-scoring with 53, they watched Colin Munro produce an extraordinary innings to lead the Auckland chase.

New Zealand international Munro smashed 22 fours and six maximums in his 174 not out from 160 balls to propel the home side to a seven-wicket victory with more than seven overs to spare.

That makes it two defeats in two for Stokes since he signed for Canterbury last week, as he bids to regain form ahead of a possible one-day recall to the England side.

It has been reported that Stokes could be fast-tracked back into the international team for the ODI and T20I series against Australia if cleared of the allegations against him.

The 26-year-old's case file was recently passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by Avon & Somerset Police after the force completed their investigation into an incident.

In a statement, the police said they were now "seeking charging advice".

MORE FROM THE CRICKETER: England unlikely to make changes for Perth