Ben Stokes strengthens Ashes call-up hopes with 93 off 47 balls to help Canterbury beat Otago

Ben Stokes scored at the rate of nearly two a ball, but fell seven short of a century as he returned to form in his latest appearance for Canterbury.

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

His total of 93 off 47 balls helped Canterbury to a 217/9 score in their Super Smash match against Otago in Christchurch.

Stokes also took a catch and finished with figures of 1-17 from two overs as Canterbury won the game by 134 runs with New Zealand leg-spinner Todd Astle taking 3-18 in 2.4 overs.

Coming in at fourth, the Englishman helped steady the ship after Otago nicked 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.

Stokes was dropped from England's Ashes Test tour after he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol on September 25.

The Crown Prosecution Service is assessing evidence from Avon and Somerset Police in order for a decision to be made on whether he should face charges over the alleged incident.

PA