'Charging advice' sought for Stokes

Police say the investigation into a late-night incident involving England cricketer Ben Stokes has been passed to prosecutors, who must now decide whether to charge the player.

Stokes was arrested in late September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm outside a night club. Video footage showed England's Test vice-captain throwing punches in a street fight.

Avon and Somerset Police released Stokes while the investigation continued, and said Wednesday that they have "passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service and are now seeking charging advice."

The police also confirmed a 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the September incident.

Stokes has not played cricket since the incident. He was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board but has been given permission to play in New Zealand's domestic competition this weekend. The 26-year-old landed in Christchurch - the city of his birth - on Wednesday.

Speculation is rampant that he will be called across the Tasman to return for England in the third Ashes Test in Perth starting on December 14.

Canterbury Cricket Association's board was set to meet late on Wednesday to discuss whether they will sign Stokes on a short-term deal.

The widespread expectation is they will and that Stokes could be facing Otago on Sunday in Rangiora.

England arranged a No Objection Certificate (NOC) last Friday.

New Zealand's national cricket board is yet to rubber stamp the arrangement but that is likely to happen if coach Mike Hesson's comments are any guide.

"From a cricket point of view he's a world class player and would add a lot of talent to the competition," Hesson told reporters on Wednesday.

"Certainly if players perform well against Ben it shows us they're performing well against the best.

"If it improves the standard of the competition, which I'm sure it will, then great."

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