Ben Stokes is en route to New Zealand, where the suspended allrounder could play for Canterbury as early as this weekend as speculation builds he will return in the third Ashes Test.
Stokes remains the subject of a UK police investigation after a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) having declared it is waiting for that process to be finalised before it takes its next step.
But it's understood that hasn't stopped the ECB putting the wheels in motion for the required no-objection certificate (NOC) that would clear Stokes to play domestic cricket in New Zealand.
England, without having settled on any form of punishment, could extraordinarily give Stokes the green light to play cricket for the first time since leaving a man hospitalised with facial injuries.
Upon standing Stokes down, the ECB noted in a statement he would "not be considered for selection for England international matches" but made no reference to other fixtures.
"So that makes me speechless. Why then is he not playing for England? Either he is suspended... or he is not?" Dean Jones posted on Twitter.
Cricket Australia (CA) is unlikely to be pleased with the latest development, although it isn't expected to seek clarification or question the steps taken by the ECB or New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
Australian players and CA officials have largely shouldered arms publicly any time Stokes is mentioned. That was the case on Tuesday, when coach Darren Lehmann flat-batted five questions about the vice-captain England dearly missed in their 10-wicket loss at the Gabba in the first Test.
"I really don't know what is going on ...I can't really comment on that until the ECB decide what they're doing," Lehmann said after touching down in Adelaide.
Stokes' international departure has further fuelled expectations that police may soon release a charging decision.
There were incorrect reports the 26-year-old was headed to Australia after being spotted at Heathrow airport, while the ECB claimed he booked the NZ trip privately and would be spending time with family in the land of his birthplace.
"He is not on his way to the Ashes, England Lions or any other official training camps with the England set-up," an ECB spokesperson said.
The widespread expectation is Stokes will train and/or play in New Zealand, with such wickets providing a far better warm-up for the Ashes -- should he be called up -- than the indoor nets in Durham.
New Zealand province Canterbury initially denied speaking with Stokes' management but later admitted there had been informal discussions.
Canterbury coach Gary Stead noted Stokes is a world-class allrounder and "we'd be stupid not to consider" having him as a guest player.
"We've got a very young team at the moment. If he wanted to have some (training) sessions with us, I think we'd be silly not to," Stead told AAP.
Stokes could potentially turn out for Canterbury against Otago on Sunday in Rangiora.
"NZC has an open mind on this issue and will await further information, and an official request, before making a decision," an NZC spokesman said.
The third Ashes Test begins in Perth on December 14, while England start a two-day tour game in the same city on December 9.
