Stokes dismissed seventh ball and goes wicketless in first game since September
Sunday 3 December 2017 16:11, UK
Ben Stokes scored two from seven balls and went wicketless from nine overs on a rusty debut for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy.
Stokes, currently unavailable for England selection following his arrest in Bristol in September, was bowled by Otago spinner Anaru Kitchen in Sunday's 50-over game in Rangiora after coming into bat at No 4.
The all-rounder then opened the bowling for Canterbury and recorded figures of 0-49 as Otago chased down their opponents' 221-9 with 15 balls remaining to win by three wickets.
Stokes flew to New Zealand, the place of his birth, earlier in the week to visit family and signed a short-term contract as an overseas player for Canterbury on Thursday.
Sunday's fixture was the 26-year-old's first game for 69 days, with his previous game England's second one-day international against Windies in Bristol on September 24 when he scored 73.
Stokes - who said he was just "looking forward to getting out there and hopefully winning" after training with Canterbury for the first time on Saturday - is set to be in action again on Wednesday when Canterbury visit Auckland.
Speaking after the clash with Otago, Canterbury director of cricket Gary Stead said of Stokes: "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."
Avon & Somerset Police have concluded their investigation into the Bristol incident and have passed their file to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on whether to charge Stokes.
