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LONDON. – England all-rounder cricketer Ben Stokes has signed for New Zealand side Canterbury. Stokes (26) was arrested in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident in Bristol. The England and Wales Cricket Board have made him unavailable to play for England and will not review that stance until a decision has been made on whether to charge him.

That will not be taken for several weeks, so he seems unlikely to play in the Ashes series against Australia. However, he is not barred from playing domestic cricket in any country. Speculation that Stokes could be joining England in Australia arose when he was pictured at Heathrow airport with his cricket kit on Monday. It was later revealed that Stokes was visiting New Zealand, the country of his birth, to see his family.

On the same day, Canterbury confirmed they had been approached by representatives of the Durham man, who has now signed as their overseas player. He could feature for the first time in a 50-over game against Otago on Sunday, which coincides with day two of England’s second Test against Australia in Adelaide.

“While Ben awaits the outcome of an investigation underway in the UK, he wants to maintain his fitness and his connection with the game,” said Canterbury director of cricket Gary Stead. – BBC Sport.