England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to make his long-awaited return to County Championship cricket this week, rejoining Durham to face Lancashire as he ramps up his preparation for the upcoming Test matches. This return marks Stokes’ first appearance in the County Championship for Durham since May 2022.
Stokes Ready to Rejoin Durham After Long Absence
Stokes, who last played competitively in the final Test match of the tour of India in March, has been sidelined with a troublesome left knee that required surgery in November. Having opted out of the IPL and the T20 World Cup, Stokes is now laser-focused on regaining peak fitness for the Test season, aiming to contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
With the first Test against West Indies on July 10th fast approaching, Stokes will kick off his preparations in a County Championship match at Blackpool this Friday. Durham head coach Ryan Campbell expressed his enthusiasm about Stokes’ return, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the team and the competition as a whole.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming England captain Ben Stokes back into our team for the first time – it will be absolutely awesome,” Campbell told BBC Radio Newcastle. “Players always want to play against the best players in the competition. To have one of those players in our own team… it’s unbelievable.”
Stokes’ Recovery Progress Encouraging
Stokes, now 32, played in all five Tests during England’s 4-1 series defeat in India, although his bowling was limited. While initially not planning to bowl throughout the tour, Stokes’ recovery progressed faster than expected, allowing him to test his bowling in Dharamsala. This return to bowling is crucial for England’s Test aspirations, as the team struggled with the absence of a seam-bowling allrounder in India.
Despite the recent break, Stokes has been diligently working on his bowling, gradually increasing the intensity of his training sessions. With six Tests scheduled for this summer, including three against Sri Lanka following the West Indies series, Stokes has a packed calendar ahead. Tours of Pakistan and New Zealand later this year add to the importance of a measured return to bowling.
England Management Focused on Measured Return
England’s managing director, Rob Key, provided encouraging updates on Stokes’ progress during a recent interview. “Ben in particular is feeling, for the first time in quite some time, that he is bowling pain-free,” Key said. “He feels liberated by the fact the knee op has been a success… he can now look to this part of his career being able to do both things [bat and bowl].”
The upcoming match against Lancashire is one of four red-ball matches Stokes could potentially play for Durham before the first Test against West Indies. His availability for Durham’s Vitality Blast campaign, starting on May 30th, remains undecided. Both Stokes and the England management team will prioritize ensuring he has sufficient overs under his belt before the Test season commences.
Cautious Approach Key to Long-Term Success
Key emphasized the importance of a gradual return for Stokes, even with his reputation for resilience. “Even Ben Stokes… needs to build up slowly and then hopefully peak at just the right time,” Key remarked. Bowling places a unique physical strain on the body, and a measured approach is crucial to avoid setbacks and ensure Stokes can perform at his best throughout the demanding summer schedule.
Stokes’ return to competitive cricket is a welcome development for both Durham and England fans. As he builds his bowling fitness in the County Championship, all eyes will be on his progress as England gears up for a crucial Test summer.
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