‘It was a good job I didn’t take my pants off’: Stokes enjoys bizarre reprieve against West Indies

Ben Stokes enjoyed a bizarre reprieve as he rediscovered form with the bat in the final match of the Wisden Trophy in St Lucia.

The England all-rounder left the field shortly after registering his first 50 of the series, after being well caught in his follow through by Alzarri Joseph – only for TV replays to reveal a no-ball and lead to a summons to return from the dressing room.

The 27-year-old remained unbeaten until bad light brought a premature close and he will resume on 62 alongside Joe Buttler, who is unbeaten on 67.

England’s Ben Stokes walks off after being caught and bowled by Alzarri Joseph on Saturday

Of the incident, he said: ‘In international cricket you shouldn’t be walking off, getting into the changing rooms, and then back out there two minutes later. Thank God for technology.

‘I was just sat in my chair and when I heard the shouting I thought someone had got out first ball. It was a good job I didn’t take my pants off.

‘I heard everyone shouting “no ball” and “you’re in”. I had to get myself back into that frame of mind. I said to myself not to look at it as a big opportunity, just try to let it go and make sure I was not out at the end of the day.’

Stokes returns after the third umpire overturned the dismissal for the bowler overstepping

Having passed a fitness test on a sore heel, he felt occasional mild discomfort running between the wickets and was also struck on the gloves on a couple of occasions in an innings that had echoes of the left-hander at his best.

In a bid to recapture previous prowess, Stokes took time in the build-up watching footage of himself from 2014 when he was at his intuitive best.

‘Actually I watched the game against New Zealand at Lord’s before this match. I have been working with Ramps (batting coach Mark Ramprakash) over the last couple of days, going back to a technique similar to that,’ he said.

‘In the back of my mind, watching myself, I thought I would take that out there with me. That can be a catalyst for how I want to play.

‘I have just been trying to find that level ground of not being too aggressive and not being too defensive. I felt I was a bit stuck over the last couple of months and watching that innings at Lord’s has done me the world of good.’