STOKES TOUCHES DOWN IN NEW ZEALAND BUT WON'T BE DRAWN ON CRICKETING MATTERS

All-rounder will spend time with family and could sign a deal with Canterbury

Ben Stokes arrived in Christchurch to a mass of cricket media, as Chris Woakes said England would welcome the all-rounder onto their Ashes tour.

Stokes has flown to New Zealand to spend time with family amid speculation over a possible charge over an alleged assault, and reports have suggested he could sign a short-term deal with Canterbury to tide him over until a decision is reached by Avon & Somerset Police.

The England vice-captain, who remains indefinitely suspended by the ECB following an early-morning brawl in Bristol in September and will face an internal investigation regardless of the outcome of the police’s own enquiries, said little as he pushed several kit bags through customs on Wednesday.

He refused to be drawn on whether he would be signing for Canterbury, however, instead telling journalists that he would be looking to work on his golf swing.

Stokes was greeted at Christchurch Airport by his parents Gerard and Deborah and said he was delighted to be back in the country of his birth.

“It’s been that long since I’ve been back here, I’m 26 now,” he said.

^{Ben Stokes arrives in Christchurch}

^{Stokes was greated by dad Gerard and mum Deborah}

^{Father and son share a hug}

^{There was a waiting press pack at Christchurch Airport for Stokes}

Dad Gerard told the New Zealand Herald: "It's lovely. We'd just like some family time together rather than spreading what we're doing around New Zealand.

"We're only interested in spending time with Ben at the moment."

Should Stokes be cleared by both the police and ECB investigations, there is a possibility he could figure in the Ashes series, which resumes in Adelaide on Saturday with England 1-0 down in the series.

Reports in the UK media on Tuesday suggested Stokes was in line to be fast-tracked back into the team in the event of allegations against him being dismissed, and there has been mention of him returning to the fold for the third Test in Perth.

Team-mate Woakes said on Wednesday that the return of the fiery all-rounder would bolster England’s morale.

“Ben’s a world-class all-rounder, and makes any team better,” Woakes said.

“The fact he’s out there playing cricket (means) he’s a little bit closer to Australia.”

“If he was to join the squad, that would be great for us. But at the minute, he’s not – so we have to get on without him.”

MORE FROM THE CRICKETER: Hollywood director joins World Cup organising committee