Cricket: Ben Stokes scuppers England's hopes of a quiet arrival in New Zealand as he posts travel plans on Instagram

The ECB’s hopes of a quiet arrival for Ben Stokes in New Zealand were scuppered when the flame-haired all-rounder posted a picture of his boarding pass on Instagram.

Stokes was cleared to fly to New Zealand by the courts and the ECB after entering a not guilty plea at Bristol Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The ECB confirmed that “any decision to include him in upcoming matches will be made by Head Coach Trevor Bayliss and the England management team.”

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The 26-year-old star will arrive at Auckland airport on Friday afternoon and then be driven by ECB representatives and a security detail to Hamilton, some 70 miles away. While team officials had hoped for a quiet entry, Stokes has told friends he is desperately excited to be back in the England fold, an excitement which doubtlessly played its part in the accidental publication of his travel plans.