Stokes set for first game since England retirement

Ben Stokes will take the field for Durham against Derbyshire on Tuesday, marking his first match since stepping away from international cricket. The former England captain is slated to appear in the opening round of the One-Day Cup, which coincides with the start of The Hundred tournament. Stokes revealed his sudden retirement from international cricket during England’s third Test versus New Zealand last month. Prior to that match, the 35‑year‑old missed the second Test while assisting with an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub. During his time away from the England setup, the all‑rounder featured in Durham’s County Championship game versus Northamptonshire. Although Stokes admitted he had developed “negative feelings” about playing for England, he noted that returning to regional cricket revived his passion for the sport. “Being backmost astatine Durham, erstwhile I wasn't playing successful the 2nd Test, I recovered a caller lease of beingness for the game, but unluckily I conscionable couldn't get that feeling back,” said Stokes. “I'm precise excited astir the adjacent portion of what I get to do. Going backmost to playing for my boyhood nine Durham, I'm comparing this week to that week - close present I americium buzzing.” “But determination person been moments this week that person been truly pugnacious and it conscionable adds to everything and it makes it wide that I've made the close decision.” After the One‑Day Cup fixture, Stokes could return to the Championship later in the season. His return schedule places him in direct conflict with the launch of the revamped Hundred competition. This season marks the first instance since the eight franchises were sold to investors for roughly £520 million, a move that prompted new team names, branding updates and increased player earnings. Stokes did not take part in the auction and had been slated to play for Durham in the One‑Day Cup before announcing his retirement. Depending on the extent of his involvement, Stokes—potentially the country’s most prominent cricketer—may find himself appearing at smaller venues. Durham have home games arranged at South Northumberland Cricket Club in Gosforth and at Darlington CC, while their away trip to Yorkshire is scheduled for York CC. Stokes has not competed in any 50‑over match since the 2023 World Cup, which also represented his last limited‑overs outing for England. The upcoming Derby encounter will be the first time he has played a domestic one‑day game for Durham in twelve years. His most recent 50‑over performance for Durham came in the 2014 One‑Day Cup final victory over Warwickshire. At age 23, he scored 164 in the semi‑final win against Nottinghamshire. Stokes’ previous domestic 50‑over appearance elsewhere was a spell with Canterbury in New Zealand during 2017, a period when he missed England’s Ashes tour of Australia