Ben Stokes poised for Durham return in One-Day Cup after England retirement

Former England captain Ben Stokes is in line to make his competitive comeback next week, helping Durham kick off their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign at Derbyshire.

Stokes retired from international cricket in dramatic scenes at Trent Bridge just over a fortnight ago, dropping a shock announcement while in the middle of a marathon bowling spell and then taking a wicket with his very next ball.

He went on to open the batting in his final Test innings but could not prevent his side slipping to a chaotic series defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

The 35-year-old later confirmed that he would continue playing for Durham, eulogising at length about his happiness and pride when representing his boyhood club.

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Welcome boost

And, after a short break with his family, he is now expected to play a full part in the 50-over campaign – a role he had already put his name forward for before his shock international exit.

Stokes had already opted out of featuring in the Hundred, which also launches on Tuesday, and had planned to resurrect a one-day career that peaked with his match-winning turn at the 2019 World Cup final.

He last played 50-over cricket after reversing a previous retirement to take part in England’s doomed defence of that trophy four years later in India.

His presence will be a welcome boost for Durham, whose head coach Ryan Campbell has always been keen to have Stokes in the dressing room.

Happy

Speaking to the Press Association earlier this season, when Stokes turned out in the Rothesay County Championship to tune up for the ill-fated New Zealand Tests, he said: “I really enjoy having him around.

“We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team and he’s here to help win games of cricket for Durham.

“We’re just happy to see one of our mates again. He holds himself to such high standards.

“He’ll be the first into fielding drills, throwing balls at people and hitting plenty himself.”

Responsibility

He added: “We’ve already spoken about Ben playing, how it brings more media and more eyes on a game.

“It adds another layer, not of stress but of responsibility to keep your own standards high.”

Durham last won the One-Day Cup in 2014 and will fancy their chances of making waves with Stokes in the ranks, with the majority of the country’s star names and top white-ball talent otherwise engaged in the Hundred.

The county also sit top of Division Two in the championship, allowing Stokes another potential route to end-of-season silverware should he decide to continue his first class career.

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