Banned Stokes finally hits form in New Zealand

Banned England cricketer Ben Stokes finally found some form while playing in New Zealand as he smashed 93 in Canterbury's domestic T20 match against Otago in Christchurch Thursday. Stokes has signed a short-term contract with Canterbury after being banned from the England team by the country's cricket board pending the outcome of a police investigation into an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

This is just rubbing it in...

Ben Stokes scored 93 off 47 balls for Canterbury Kings in New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition.https://t.co/hpZfSVeZz3 pic.twitter.com/kgqvucf3qv— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 14, 2017

The 26-year-old smashed seven sixes and six fours in his 47-ball innings at Hagley Oval as the home team scored 217 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The England all-rounder, who was born in Christchurch, had struggled in his few appearances for Canterbury so far, scoring just 36 runs in his three one-day matches and taking one wicket.

Ben Stokes struck seven sixes and six fours in Canterbury's Super Smash game against Otago https://t.co/sayAAx4pv9 pic.twitter.com/CU8uAslSg9

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 14, 2017

Stokes also took a catch and finished with figure 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.