DURHAM all-rounder Ben Stokes underlined the folly of his omission from England’s World Cup squad as he smashed a remarkable half-century on his Big Bash debut for Melbourne Renegades.

Stokes, who was left out of England's final 15 for the forthcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after an unproductive 2014 on the international stage, smashed 77 off just 37 balls as he made his debut in Australia’s leading T20 competition.

Arriving as an injury replacement for the Renegades, following Jesse Ryder's defection, the 23-year-old wasted no time confirming his liking for Australian conditions.

Stokes, the one shining light of England's miserable Ashes tour last winter, hammered eight fours and five sixes during his 37-ball knock to help Renegades record a much-needed 36-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval.

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen were quick to praise Stokes on Twitter, expressing their disbelief at his exclusion from the World Cup squad.

Vaughan wrote: “When I watch @benstokes38 I can only think England haven't quite got it right with him yet ... Huge talent ...

“Just a reminder @benstokes38 was the only England player to stand up in Australia last winter ... He likes the conditions ...”

Pietersen, also left out of England's plans after his sacking 11 months ago, was another to remind the selectors of his talents this week with a Big Bash half-century.

He tweeted: “@benstokes38 is a star in the making. He's showing it this eve! Good on him! I cannot for the life of me believe he's not in WC.”

Stokes was a near ever-present, when fit, for England last year but mustered a limited-overs output of only 200 runs and 14 wickets in 17 matches across the two formats. However, his batting performances were not helped by his appearance at the bottom order of the order, rather than at number three or four, where he tends to represent Durham in limited-overs cricket.

After his continued poor form in the One-Day international series defeat in Sri Lanka, he ended that tour out of the team and was then not chosen shortly afterwards in England's World Cup squad.

There was no cheer for England, who arrive in Australia on Wednesday ahead of their pre-World Cup tri-series, when Alex Hales - in his last Big Bash appearance before joining up with them - could make only seven as the Hurricanes faltered to 126 all out in reply to 163 for seven.