(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
After a five-month absence Ben Stokes was back to his best in England colours, starring with bat and ball to help draw the ODI series against New Zealand level.
The all-rounder struck twice to claim figures of two for 42 with the ball and played his way to top-scoring with the bat with 63 runs, as England successfully chased down 224 to win.
“Walking off tonight made me understand how much of a privilege it is to represent your country,” Stokes said after the match.
The Durham star was speaking to the assembled press for the first time since his arrest last September in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub. And while Police carried out their investigation, the suspension the ECB placed on Stokes ensured he would miss the Ashes.
Commenting on the time spent at home, Stokes said: “It was frustrating to watch the Ashes. I went through all the emotions as I would have done playing but there’s not a lot I can change about that now.
“I’ve been following all the cricket the lads have been playing but what I have to do now is focus on going forward. I want to contribute every time I play for England.”
Pleading not guilty in court to one charge of affray on 13 February, the 26-year-old will head to trial next month but said he maintained his fitness all throughout the winter in case the call from England came.
“I’ve been working hard at home making sure that when the opportunity came again I wasn’t going to let anyone down. When I got the nod I wanted to expect to be asked to participate fully rather than be eased back into the team. I wouldn’t expect anything less of myself and I don’t think Morgy (Eoin Morgan) would expect anything less of me either.”
Speaking of his hand in England’s six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, Stokes added: “I was quite emotional walking off there at the end. It was a different feeling to what it is normally.
“There was relief, happiness and obviously it’s been a long time. Hopefully now this is a stepping stone to trying to keep on helping England win games. We’ve got a massive summer ahead and the World Cup coming up as well so hopefully, this is just the start of it.”
Stokes was playing in his second match back after England lost the first ODI by three wickets and will travel with the England squad to Wellington for the third ODI on Saturday.
