Set precedent with Stokes ban: Watson

England will improve their chances of winning the Magellan Ashes by calling up Ben Stokes but Shane Watson says the suspended allrounder will never improve as a person if he doesn't learn that actions have consequences.

Stokes has landed in Christchurch, where he could play competitive cricket for the first time since his alleged involvement in a Bristol street fight that left a man hospitalised with facial injuries.

England's vice-captain touched down in his place of birth on Wednesday, where he was greeted at the airport by both parents and plenty of reporters as speculation builds he will be called across the Tasman to return for England in the third Test in Perth starting on December 14.

But Watson said he's firmly against the prospect of Stokes playing in the Ashes.

"The only way you learn as a person really is when there are strong consequences to mistakes you make," Watson told reporters in Sydney.

"I don't think he should be able to come and play, there needs to be a precedent set even for his own benefit."

Stokes wouldn't answer any cricket questions upon arriving in Christchurch while pushing a trolley that had among it his kit bag, only saying he was "looking forward to seeing mum and dad" and planned to "work on my golf swing".

Image Id: 538A5735417D4F21A87E8BA8DBD6E333 Image Caption: Stokes touches down in Christchurch, his city of birth, on Wednesday // Getty

UK newspaper The Times is reporting police are likely to announce within 48 hours the outcome of their investigation into Stokes' involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub.

If Stokes is cleared, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will convene an emergency meeting to settle on a punishment. The expectation is a backdated ban.

Former England allrounder Ian Botham, speaking during a climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, took a different view to Watson.

"It'd be great if he does come out ... he's got out of England which is a good sign," Botham said.

"If there were real complications with the (police) procedure I doubt they'd have let him go."

Watson suggested England couldn't win the series without Stokes.

"England are down on confidence because he's not in the team," he said. "It's impossible to fill that void."

Watson and Usman Khawaja were among the four cricketers slapped with a one-Test ban for not submitting feedback during a tour of India in 2013.

Khawaja recalls the squad's mood amid the very public disciplinary process clearly.

"It certainly can have an effect," he told reporters in Adelaide, where the second Test starts on Saturday.

"Even someone like myself, who doesn't read the paper or go out of my way to look at social media during games, it's still always around."

While England have issued a No Objection Certificate for Stokes to play in NZ, the Canterbury Cricket Association and New Zealand Cricket are yet to rubber stamp his stint.

If cleared, the 26-year-old could face Otago on Sunday in Rangiora.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21