Ben Stokes not expected to re-join England squad for white-ball matches

The all-rounder is back in New Zealand for family reasons but will not be called on if and when he returns

• Denly still harbours hopes of England recall

Ben Stokes will not be expected to re-join the England squad for the rest of the white-ball summer if and when he returns from New Zealand.

The 29-year-old has returned to his homeland for family reasons after pulling out of the rest of the Pakistan Test series.

Following the conclusion of the red-ball schedule, England face Pakistan in three T20s before welcoming Australia in September.

It is hoped that players who have only played Test cricket this summer - Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes - could play against the Ashes rivals next month. But that group will not include allrounder Stokes.

"It’s as it should be," white-ball captain Eoin Morgan told The Guardian.

“Family plays a huge part in your life. You ask guys when they finish how they are, some have relationships that have broken down. It’s often one of the biggest regrets," 

“If you could offer a lot of past players more family time, downtime, or time for bereavement while they were playing – and no pressure for their spot when they needed that – I think a lot of them would have taken it.”

Without as many as five players who were central to last summer's 50-over World Cup win and who would have featured at the now-postponed T20 showcase in Australia, the next few weeks offers an opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim.

“Once the full-strength team comes back, in the winter or next summer, there aren’t many spots available. Five or six may be vying for one place. And I don’t think it will be one innings or spell that does it, it will be consistency of performance and skill.”

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