The controversy surrounding Ben Stokes might not affect his
playing career outside of England as the chief executive of English Cricket
Board, Tom Harrison, claims that the board will not get in the way of the
all-rounder should he seek the No-object Certificate (NOC) for playing outside
England.
Ben Stokes was taken into custody after being caught
fighting outside a bar in Bristol. As the media raged on the Englishman, some
witnesses claim that the player was actually saving them from homophobic
bullies.
Nevertheless, the case hasn’t been solved yet and that is
why the player isn’t playing in the Ashes in Australia. However, Harrison has
clearly stated that Stokes will be allowed to play outside the country—like he
was allowed to play in New Zealand.
"Ben asked for an NOC to play in New Zealand and we
were happy to grant one," Harrison said on Saturday. "What he does
with his time is up to him. He remains on full pay.”
Harrison then spoke of the Indian Premier League, stating
that it would be “difficult” to not allow Stokes to go the high-profile T20
league given that they allowed the same when New Zealand was concerned.
"It's up to Ben to decide if he wants to play in the
IPL. We could say we don't want him to go but I imagine that, having given him
an NOC to go and play in New Zealand, it would be difficult for us to say we
would not apply the same thinking towards playing in other parts of the
world."
Stokes has been named in the ODI squad to play against Australia after the conclusion of the Ashes. He will, however, not travel or take part in the series until being cleared by the police over the ongoing saga.