Former England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his competitive comeback in cricket by playing for Durham against Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup. This will be his first match since stepping away from international cricket recently. Stokes, a 35-year-old all-rounder, surprised many with his decision to retire during England’s Test against New Zealand.
Stokes had taken a break from the England team due to an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub. During this period, he played for Durham in the County Championship against Northamptonshire. The experience playing for Durham reignited his passion for the game, as he expressed in a quote from BBC Sport.
Following his return in the One-Day Cup, Stokes may also feature in the County Championship matches for Durham before the season concludes. His decision not to participate in The Hundred’s player auction aligns with his commitment to represent Durham in the One-Day Cup.
Stokes, a prominent figure in English cricket, will be seen playing at various county venues, including South Northumberland Cricket Club and Darlington CC for home games, and York CC for an away match against Yorkshire. His upcoming match against Derbyshire will mark his first domestic one-day appearance for Durham in over a decade.
Stokes’ last 50-over game for Durham was in the 2014 One-Day Cup final, where he played a crucial role in their victory against Warwickshire. Since then, he has not participated in any 50-over matches, with his last limited-overs game for England being in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
