AUCKLAND: Ben Stokes does not appear to be in the kind of form that could save the Ashes for England, given the star all-rounder’s latest lean performance for Canterbury province in New Zealand’s domestic limited-overs cricket championship.
Stokes, who is under police investigation over an alleged assault outside a Bristol nightclub in September, scored 34 and took a catch but failed to take a wicket in seven overs as Canterbury lost by seven wickets to Auckland at Eden Park on Wednesday.
Along with the other Canterbury bowlers, Stokes’ figures were bruised by New Zealand batsman Colin Munro, who made an unbeaten 174 from 118 balls.
Stokes’ performance was at least an improvement on his Canterbury debut last weekend when he scored only two runs in a six-ball innings and went wicketless in nine overs in a loss to Otago. The New Zealand-born allrounder has been suspended from playing for England while police investigate his role in the Sept. 25 incident in Bristol which followed a limited-overs international against the West Indies. Avon and Somerset police have completed their investigation and are seeking advice from prosecutors on whether charges should be laid.
While the 27-year-old Stokes has said he is in New Zealand to visit his parents, who live in Christchurch, he could quickly rejoin the England team if he is not charged or if there is any delay in a charging decision.
The England Cricket Board has said Stokes will remain suspended pending the police investigation.
England has lost the first two tests to Australia in Brisbane and Adelaide and is likely to be more eager to recall Stokes if circumstances make it possible. The five-match Ashes series continues in Perth from Dec. 14.
England star Stokes struggles again in comeback match
England star Stokes struggles again in comeback match
Chelsea deny 10-man Wrexham Hollywood finish in FA Cup thriller
- The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time
- Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club
WREXHAM, UK: Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Hollywood-owned Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph on Saturday, edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.
Wrexham, watched at the Racecourse Ground by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, took the lead through Sam Smith but the visitors were level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.
In a breathless second period, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again in the 78th minute only for Josh Acheampong to equalize four minutes later.
The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time and Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time before Joao Pedro’s late strike added gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments, made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club.
In-form Wrexham, who put out Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition, went ahead in the 18th minute when Doyle found Smith with a raking long pass.
Smith’s first touch was superb and he raced away from Tosin Adarabioyo before finishing coolly past Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea enjoyed the bulk of possession but created little against Phil Parkinson’s organized side, who are targeting a fourth-consecutive promotion — this time to the Premier League.
But Wrexham suffered heartbreak five minutes before half-time when the ball squirmed into the net off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal.
Wrexham started the second half on the front foot again, putting Chelsea’s defense under huge pressure, roared on by a passionate home crowd.
Rosenior brought on forward Marc Guiu for defender Mamadou Sarr just before the hour mark, throwing on Marc Cucurella and Dario Essugo a few minutes later.
Wrexham continued to make life uncomfortable for the Club World Cup champions and re-took the lead with a brilliant, instinctive flick from Doyle, who turned home Josh Windass’s shot in the 78th minute.
But just minutes later Chelsea were all-square again, with Acheampong firing into the roof of the net.
Windass had a glorious chance to put Wrexham in front for a third time but headed wide with Sanchez stranded and Pedro Neto rattled the bar at the other end.
- Red card -
The dynamic of the match shifted when Dobson was sent off in stoppage time by referee Peter Bankes following a VAR review.
That gave Wrexham a mountain to climb and their task was even harder when Essugo’s cross was finished crisply by Garnacho in the sixth minute of extra time.
Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore’s header was turned home by Lewis Brunt but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Lewis O’Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson’s side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.
Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Champions League last-16 date with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek while Wrexham will continue their push to reach the Premier League.
