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Ben Stokes Shines on Return, Eyes New Ball Role for England’s Home Test Summer

Ben Stokes made a strong return from injury, taking four wickets for Durham against Worcestershire in the County Championship. The England captain impressed with the new ball, hinting at a potential role in the upcoming home Test series. England face New Zealand in June and Pakistan in August-September as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Stokes’ performance comes amid a shortage of fast-bowling options following retirements and injuries to key players.

Key Points: Ben Stokes Impresses on Return Ahead of England Test Summer

  • Ben Stokes takes 2 wickets in each innings for Durham
  • First competitive appearance since The Ashes 2025-26
  • England face New Zealand and Pakistan in home Test series
  • Stokes could open bowling due to fast-bowling shortages
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Ben Stokes impresses on his comeback from injury ahead of England's home Test summer

Ben Stokes takes 4 wickets on Durham return, hinting at new-ball role for England's home Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan in 2025.

"Stokes registered the bowling figures of 2/54 in 20 overs in the first innings - ICC website"

Worcester, May 11

Ben Stokes made a promising return from injury as he gears up for a busy home Test season with the England cricket team, who are set to host New Zealand and Pakistan for three-match Test series each later this year.

The England captain featured for Durham County Cricket Club against Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the County Championship Division Two and impressed with the new ball, picking up two wickets in each innings during Durham's nine-wicket win, as per the ICC website.

Stokes registered the bowling figures of 2/54 in 20 overs in the first innings and 2/33 in 8.5 overs in the third innings of the match.

It was Stokes' first competitive appearance since The Ashes 2025-26 earlier this year, with the England skipper also continuing his recovery from the fractured cheekbone he sustained during training in February.

Although Stokes had a modest outing with the bat, scoring 14 runs at No. 5 for Durham, the 34-year-old impressed with his pace while sharing the new ball in both innings -- a role that could hint at England's plans for him in the near future.

England are set to play back-to-back three-Test series against New Zealand (in June) and Pakistan (in August-September) in the coming months as part of their ICC World Test Championship campaign, and a shortage of fast-bowling options could lead to Stokes taking the new ball during the home summer.

England are still searching for their ideal new-ball attack following the retirements of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes. Injuries to Brydon Carse and Mark Wood, along with ongoing concerns over Jofra Archer's fitness, have left selectors with major decisions to make ahead of the opening Test against the New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 4.

Possible seam-bowling options for the Three Lions include Ollie Robinson, Matthew Potts, Sam Cook and Sonny Baker, though Stokes's recent use of the new ball in county cricket could open the door for him to reprise that role.

Stokes has not opened the bowling in Test cricket since the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan in 2022, but his performance against Worcestershire showed enough promise to suggest a possible return to that responsibility.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arun Y
Watching Stokes steam in with the new ball is pure nostalgia for me—reminds me of the 2019 Ashes and that WC final. But him opening the bowling again at 34? That feels a bit desperate from England. They need to groom younger pacers, not lean on an aging captain. Still, you can't deny his lion heart. 🦁
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Suresh O
It's funny how England's pace cupboard is looking empty after Anderson, Broad, and Woakes. India had a similar phase after our greats retired, but now we have a conveyor belt of fast bowlers. Stokes bowling 20 overs in a county match is good to see, but I'm not sure he can do it in a Test series—especially against us when we tour next. 😅
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Lakshmi X
As a cricket fan, I'm just happy to see Stokes back on the field. The man is a genuine match-winner. That said, England relying on him to spearhead the attack with the new ball is risky—he's had so many injury setbacks. I wish they'd give more chances to someone like Sam Cook, who has been consistent. Quality article, though.
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Ravi K
Stokes taking the new ball? That's a great problem to have for England—a captain who can bowl 140+ and bat at 5. But c'mon, he's not a replacement for a proper fast bowler. If England think he can fill that void against New Zealand and Pakistan, they're in for a long home summer. For India's sake, I hope he plays; we'd love to face him! 😉
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Sunil U

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