Ben Stokes is set to resume his playing career on Tuesday, appearing for Durham in a match against Derbyshire. This marks his first competitive action since he announced his withdrawal from international cricket last month.
The former England captain will participate in the opening round of the One-Day Cup, which coincides with the start of the revamped The Hundred tournament. Stokes, who stepped away from the international stage during England’s Test series against New Zealand, previously expressed that his time spent with Durham helped him rediscover his passion for the sport, even as he solidified his decision to leave the international setup.
This week’s fixture at Derby represents Stokes’ first domestic one-day appearance for Durham in twelve years. His last outing in the 50-over format for the club was in the 2014 final against Warwickshire. While he has not played 50-over cricket since the 2023 World Cup, his return could see him playing at various smaller domestic venues, including home matches in Gosforth and Darlington.
Stokes, who opted not to enter the auction for The Hundred, remains focused on his commitments with his childhood club. Following this tournament, he may also feature in further County Championship matches before the current season concludes.
