<p align="justify" class="title">Suspended England star Ben Stokes gave a rusty performance on his highly anticipated return to cricket on Sunday in a provincial one-day match in New Zealand, his country of birth.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Amid speculation the all-rounder was using the match as a tune-up in case he earns a dramatic Ashes call-up, he looked in need of time in the middle when he turned out for Canterbury against Otago.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">However, he is expected to play again for Canterbury in three days as he looks to work himself back into form.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Batting at number four, Stokes lasted only seven balls and contributed just two runs towards Canterbury's 221.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">He then proved unsuccessful with the ball, taking none for 49 off nine overs as Otago chased down the target with 15 balls to spare.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">While England are playing before a 55,000-plus crowd in the second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, Stokes turned out before a crowd of several hundred at a village ground on the outskirts of Christchurch.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">They were clearly disappointed when the acclaimed England representative player trudged from the field early in the Canterbury innings with his leg stump flattened.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">It was only the 20th wicket in 76 matches for Otago spinner Anaru Kitchen.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">It had been 69 days since Stokes last played and he had only one practice with Canterbury after arriving in New Zealand four days ago.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">He is currently banned from international cricket while British authorities probe his alleged involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">The 26-year-old has maintained he was in New Zealand on a family visit, and although he signed autographs and stopped for selfies with fans, he was not available to talk to the news media.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">However, Canterbury Cricket's director of cricket Gary Stead expected Stokes to be better in the next match away to Auckland on Wednesday.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">"I think if anything he tried too hard. It was expected he was going to be a little bit rusty. I think he'll be better for the run, I'm sure of that," Stead said.</p>
<p align="justify" class="title">Suspended England star Ben Stokes gave a rusty performance on his highly anticipated return to cricket on Sunday in a provincial one-day match in New Zealand, his country of birth.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Amid speculation the all-rounder was using the match as a tune-up in case he earns a dramatic Ashes call-up, he looked in need of time in the middle when he turned out for Canterbury against Otago.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">However, he is expected to play again for Canterbury in three days as he looks to work himself back into form.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Batting at number four, Stokes lasted only seven balls and contributed just two runs towards Canterbury's 221.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">He then proved unsuccessful with the ball, taking none for 49 off nine overs as Otago chased down the target with 15 balls to spare.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">While England are playing before a 55,000-plus crowd in the second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, Stokes turned out before a crowd of several hundred at a village ground on the outskirts of Christchurch.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">They were clearly disappointed when the acclaimed England representative player trudged from the field early in the Canterbury innings with his leg stump flattened.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">It was only the 20th wicket in 76 matches for Otago spinner Anaru Kitchen.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">It had been 69 days since Stokes last played and he had only one practice with Canterbury after arriving in New Zealand four days ago.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">He is currently banned from international cricket while British authorities probe his alleged involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">The 26-year-old has maintained he was in New Zealand on a family visit, and although he signed autographs and stopped for selfies with fans, he was not available to talk to the news media.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">However, Canterbury Cricket's director of cricket Gary Stead expected Stokes to be better in the next match away to Auckland on Wednesday.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">"I think if anything he tried too hard. It was expected he was going to be a little bit rusty. I think he'll be better for the run, I'm sure of that," Stead said.</p>