People got excited as Ben Stokes was spotted in an airport “on his way” to the Ashes

Turns out he's just flying to New Zealand

JOE

People got excited as Ben Stokes was spotted in an airport “on his way” to the Ashes

He’s on his way to New Zealand, not Australia.

For about an hour on Monday night, English cricket fans were very excited because Ben Stokes was “spotted” at Heathrow Airport carrying cricket gear…

Here he is!!! pic.twitter.com/jC1z0h74UQ

— – (@rossco_1990) November 27, 2017

This led to suggestions that the cricketer was on his way down under to help the England team in their Ashes series encounter with Australia.

Stokes is still suspended by the ECB, after a video emerged showing him involved in a brawl outside a nightclub in Bristol in September.

So, a sensational return to the team seemed highly unlikely, despite the photo.

I have a funny feeling @benstokes38 is jumping on an A380 heading to Oz! #ashes

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) November 27, 2017

It turned out that Stokes is, according to Sky Sports, flying to his native New Zealand to spent time with his family and to train, rather than on his way to save the English team.

BREAKING: @benstokes38 is travelling to New Zealand to practice and spend time with his family, according to Sky sources #ssn pic.twitter.com/QLadEhwlhm

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 27, 2017

However, for a brief time, people were very excited about a sensational Stokes return, and it led to a lot of wrestling gifs.

https://twitter.com/AVCJX/status/935254746671271937

https://twitter.com/Koka_Kolasinac/status/935245914222006273

“Bah god that’s Ben Stokes’ music!Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes! Ben Stokes!” #ashes #ashes2017 #benstokes #rumours #nottrue pic.twitter.com/ADiAolJeo9

— Chris Marsh (@mrkermode) November 27, 2017

An awful lot.