Ben Stokes out for 2 in return to first-class cricket

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:35 p.m. ET

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) England allrounder Ben Stokes made only 2 runs in his first cricket since September when he turned out for Canterbury against Otago in New Zealand's one-day competition on Sunday.

New Zealand-born Stokes, who is suspended from the England team as police await advice on whether he should be charged over an assault outside a Bristol nightclub on Sept. 25, survived only seven balls in his first innings since that incident.

He came to the crease with Canterbury already 5-2 and departed six minutes later when it was 8-3, giving a substantial international media contingent only a fleeting chance to catch his appearance.

He still has a chance to perform with the ball later Sunday in the match at Rangiora, near Christchurch.