Suspended England all-rounder Ben Stokes is still in limbo about his involvement in the Ashes series.

OPINION: The stench of hypocrisy hangs heavy over Ben Stokes' looming appearances for Canterbury.

On the face of it, this sounds like marketing genius – local lad, out of favour with England, returns home to rediscover his magic in the red and black. It should have fans flocking to see the fiery red-headed allrounder in action in a 50-over clash against Otago at Rangiora on Sunday.

But dig a little deeper and theres nothing but embarrassment here.

REUTERS Suspended England star Ben Stokes has been linked to playing for Canterbury as he waits to be cleared for a return to international cricket.

Just last week Canterbury batsman Ken McClure stood down from his rep duties as he pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring with reckless disregard, after an assault on on man in Hanmer Springs on September 10 on a pre-season trip for his East Christchurch Shirley club. He has been remanded for sentencing until January 19 and won't play for Canterbury till that has been sorted by the courts.

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RNZ New Zealand-born cricketer Ben Stokes has caught Canterbury Cricket by surprise, and is currently on his way to his home town, amid speculation he could be playing for the club.

"We expect a certain level of behaviour on and off the pitch from everyone that represents us," Canterbury Cricket chief executive Jez Curwin said.

Yet a few days later Canterbury are courting an international superstar in Stokes whose own country England won't even allow him to be involved in the opening phase of the Ashes series in Australia as police continue to work through his alleged involvement in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub two months ago.

There is still no sign of charges and they may never eventuate. We shouldn't assume guilt but on the back of some alarming social media video the Stokes incident has been a very public case and one which English cricket authorities are taking seriously enough to have their best all-round player sit out the game's most high-profile test series.

So why should Canterbury be going where England aren't prepared to tread?

McClure must surely be wondering just that as he hangs his head in shame.

But shame on Canterbury for this shameless publicity stunt. New Zealand Cricket should take a stand and prevent this messy situation from unfolding.

And why should a New Zealand province be playing an overseas star back into form when he could very well be touring this country in February for five ODIs and two tests?

It wasn't that long ago that Auckland had out-of-sorts England bowling ace Jimmy Anderson playing for them, only to see him then take on the Black Caps and collect five wickets on his international return at the Basin Reserve. Ouch!

Of course there's every likelihood Stokes could be back in England colours very soon.

All the suggestions are that if Stokes doesn't get charged with anything from the Bristol brawl, he'll be rushed back into the England team, possibly in time for the third test against Australia in Perth.

Having him in New Zealand is very convenient, a mere hop away from the Ashes action.

Read what you will into all the neither confirm nor deny comments going on around this unexpected development, but it appears to be a real signal of intent by Stokes and England.

And Canterbury seem compliant to be involved in the whole smelly affair through the player's convenient family ties in Christchurch.

There's too much baggage here. Canterbury need to drop it now.

- Audio courtesy RNZ