Ashes exile Ben Stokes fails to impress for New Zealand's Canterbury

Suspended England star Ben Stokes's highly anticipated return to the crease was over almost as soon as it began in New Zealand.

Playing in a limited overs match for his birth province Canterbury against Otago, Stokes only faced seven balls before he was bowled for two. It was the all-rounder's first match in 69 days amid speculation he is preparing for a dramatic Ashes call-up.

But while England are playing before a 55,000-plus crowd in the second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, Stokes turned out for Canterbury at a village ground on the outskirts of Christchurch with a crowd of about 1,000.

Canterbury, batting first, were in trouble at three down for eight when Stokes was bowled.

The 26-year-old has maintained he was in New Zealand on a family visit and just wanted to "do well, and contribute to Canterbury winning".

Stokes is currently banned from international cricket while British authorities probe his alleged involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub. He has missed the first two Ashes Tests, which include a 10-wicket defeat in the opening encounter in Brisbane. The third Tests starts in Perth on December 14.