Stokes smacks 93 in NZ Twenty20

Ben Stokes has scored at almost two runs a ball, but has fallen seven short of a century in a return to form in his latest appearance for New Zealand club Canterbury.

After a spate of batting woes - the allrounder was run out after just one ball on Sunday and scored only two the previous weekend - the 26-year-old on Thursday smashed six fours and seven sixes in his innings.

His 93 off 47 balls helped Canterbury to 9-217 in their domestic T20 Super Smash match against Otago in Christchurch.

Coming in at No.4, the Englishman helped steady the ship after Otago has grabbed two quick wickets in the third over.

He eventually fell in the last of the 20 overs - caught by Neil Broom off the bowling of Jacob Duffy, who took five wickets.

Canterbury won the game by 134 runs, with Stokes bowling two overs to finish with 1-17.

Stokes was not part of England's Ashes touring squad after being arrested on September 25 on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol.

The Crown Prosecution Service is assessing evidence from Avon and Somerset Police so a decision can be made on whether he should face charges over the nightclub incident.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

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

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 Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

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