Slimline Stokes makes impression with pair of wickets on red-ball return

England Test captain Ben Stokes made his red-ball return for Durham against Worcestershire in the County Championship, taking the new ball and claiming two wickets in 11 overs. The appearance came after a delayed start to his season, having fractured his cheekbone in a nets session in February. Stokes has increasingly stepped away from white-ball cricket, with his last ODI appearance at the 2023 World Cup and his most recent white-ball match coming during the 2024 Hundred tournament.