England allrounder Ben Stokes has been spotted leaving Heathrow Airport in London with his cricket gear.
Stokes is reportedly on his way to New Zealand to spend time with some family and to practice and get ready for the Ashes.
The 26-year-old is said to be aiming to take part in the third Test in Perth.
It was initially reported he was on his way to Australia, however, the ECB refuted those claims in a statement.
“The ECB is aware that Ben Stokes is making a private trip to New Zealand to spend time with his family. His travel arrangements have not been arranged by the ECB,” the England Cricket Board said in a statement read.
“He is not on his way to the Ashes, England Lions or any other official training camps with the England set up.”
Stokes is still under investigation by Police for a late night fight outside a pub in Bristol in which a man was admitted to hospital with facial injuries.
Despite initially being included in the toursits' Ashes squad, he was not brought over for the series due to the investigation.
