Stokes set for competitive return after recovering from injuries

England skipper Ben Stokes is set to return to competitive cricket during Durham’s County Championship match against Worcestershire. Stokes has not played since the Ashes series in Australia earlier this year, which was part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Stokes later suffered another setback in February when he fractured his cheekbone during a training session. The 34-year-old has now returned to full training and is expected to play as an all-rounder in Durham’s four-day match in Worcester.

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Durham coach Ryan Campbell confirmed that Stokes will bowl in the game and could even take the new ball. “He’ll be bowling for us, 100 percent,” Campbell declared.

Stokes is preparing for a busy international schedule in the coming months, with England set to play a couple of three-match Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan.

England are currently seventh in the World Test Championship standings after losing the Ashes series 1-4 in Australia. They will need strong results in the upcoming series to stay in contention for next year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

Campbell said Durham’s main focus is helping Stokes settle back into cricket, while England can think about his international return later. “We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team to help win a game of cricket for Durham, not to get ready for England,” Campbell told the Press Association.

“I’m sure every England fan is delighted to see him back but we’re just happy to see one of our mates again. He holds himself to such high standards. He’ll be the first into fielding drills, throwing balls at people and hitting plenty himself.

“We’ve already spoken about Ben playing, how it brings more media and more eyes on a game. It adds another layer, not of stress but of responsibility to keep your own standards high. I’m really enjoying having him around,” Campbell added.