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 course of a marathon bowling spell after which taking a wicket along with his very next ball.
He went on to open the batting in his final Test innings but couldn’t prevent his side slipping to a chaotic series defeat by the hands of Latest Zealand.
The 35-year-old later confirmed that he would proceed playing for Durham, eulogising at length about his happiness and pride when representing his boyhood club.
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PICTURE: Jacob King/PA
Great addition
And, after a brief break along with his family, he’s now expected to play a full part within the 50-over campaign – a task he had already put his name forward for before his shock international exit.
Stokes had already opted out of featuring within the Hundred, which also launches on Tuesday, and had planned to resurrect a one-day profession that peaked along with his match-winning turn on the 2019 World Cup final.
He last played 50-over cricket after reversing a previous retirement to participate in England’s doomed defence of that trophy 4 years later in India.
His presence might be a great addition for Durham, whose head coach Ryan Campbell has all the time been keen to have Stokes within the dressing room.
PICTURE: Owen Humphreys/PA
Completely satisfied
Chatting with the Press Association earlier this season, when Stokes turned out within the Rothesay County Championship to tune up for the ill-fated Latest Zealand Tests, he said: “I actually enjoy having him around.
“We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team and he’s here to assist win games of cricket for Durham.
“We’re just completely satisfied to see considered one of our mates again. He holds himself to such high standards.
“He’ll be the primary into fielding drills, throwing balls at people and hitting plenty himself.”
PICTURE: Will Matthews/PA
Responsibility
He added: “We’ve already spoken about Ben playing, the way it brings more media and more eyes on a game.
“It adds one other layer, not of stress but of responsibility to maintain your personal standards high.”
Durham last won the One-Day Cup in 2014 and can fancy their possibilities of making waves with Stokes within the ranks, with nearly all of the country’s star names and top white-ball talent otherwise engaged within the Hundred.
The county also sit top of Division Two within the championship, allowing Stokes one other potential path to end-of-season silverware should he determine to proceed his top notch profession.
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