Ben Stokes is all set to start a fresh chapter in his career. Just a few weeks after announcing his retirement from international cricket, the England all-rounder is gearing up to make his return to competitive play with Durham against Derbyshire in the opening match of the One-Day Cup on Tuesday, July 21. This game will be Stokes' first 50-over outing since the 2023 ODI World Cup. At 35, he’s decided to keep playing domestic cricket to stay engaged with the sport, and he’s also left the door open for potential opportunities in overseas franchise leagues, even though he’s stepped away from his England duties.
Stokes admitted that leaving international cricket was not an easy decision. However, spending time back with Durham during a break from England duty helped him reconnect with the sport, as he said, "Being back at Durham, when I wasn't playing in the second Test, I found a new lease of life for the game, but unfortunately I just couldn't get that feeling back. I'm very excited about the next part of what I get to do. Going back to playing for my boyhood club Durham, I'm comparing this week to that week.”
Durham Welcome Back Ben Stokes for Long-Awaited One-Day Cup Return
Tuesday's match marks the end of a long wait for Stokes in List A cricket. He hasn't played a 50-over game since England's final group-stage match of the 2023 ODI World Cup against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, India on November 11, 2023. In that game, Stokes was the star of the show for England, scoring 84 runs off 76 balls. Joe Root chipped in with 60, and Jonny Bairstow added 59, helping England set a total of 337/9. Pakistan, in response, was bowled out for 244, with Adil Rashid taking five wickets to secure a 93-run victory.
This appearance for Durham is also special for another reason. It will be Stokes' first domestic List A match for the county in 12 years. His last One-Day Cup game for Durham was during their triumphant 2014 campaign, where he delivered one of the tournament's most memorable performances with a stunning 164 in the semi-final, playing a crucial role in helping Durham lift the trophy.
On another note, Stokes' last domestic 50-over match anywhere was back in 2017 in New Zealand, where he played for Canterbury during a break from his England duties. While he's back in county cricket, he won't be participating in this year's edition of The Hundred, having opted out of the player auction. Instead, he plans to concentrate on Durham's One-Day Cup and County Championship efforts, with the club being mindful of managing his workload. His return is a significant boost for Durham as they strive for a strong finish to the domestic season, while Stokes embarks on this new chapter of his career away from the international spotlight.
