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 nightclub. 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”.

Stokes was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) 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.”

Ironically, if Stokes was to play for Canterbury, he would take the place of Ken McClure after the batsman was stood down following his own run-in with the law.

McClure was found guilty last week of “injuring with reckless disregard” during a night out on a pre-season tour in September. He will be sentenced in January and will not represent Canterbury before then.

Hesson wasn’t keen to discuss whether Stokes should be playing at all and how the ECB has dealt with the sordid saga. England, without having settled on any form of punishment, are desperate for Stokes to feature in the Ashes and have given permission for the star to play cricket for the first time since he left a man hospitalised with facial injuries.

Upon standing Stokes down, the ECB noted in a statement he would “not be considered for selection for England international matches” but made no reference to other fixtures.

If the 26-year-old is cleared by police, the ECB would convene an emergency board meeting within 48 hours.

The ECB could then potentially agree on a backdated ban that would allow Stokes to contest the WACA Test.

— with AFP