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Ben Stokes scores 53 and 66 not out and takes seven wickets on red-ball return for Durham

Ben Stokes scored 119 runs across two innings and claimed seven wickets as Durham beat Derbyshire by 338 runs.

CricHubb24 Aug 2026

Ben Stokes marked his return to red-ball cricket with 53 and an unbeaten 66 while taking seven wickets against Derbyshire. His spell of five for 17 included three wickets in four balls and helped Durham secure a 338-run victory. The win lifted Durham to the top of the County Championship table. Stokes had retired from red-ball cricket earlier in the year before reversing the decision. Derbyshire offered little resistance once his spell began dismantling their middle order.

CricHubb Take

Stokes's figures suggest the lay-off did not erode his all-round threat. If he maintains this workload through the English summer, England may reconsider their Test-match batting order sooner than expected.

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Ben Stokes scores 53 and 66 not out and takes seven wickets on red-ball return for Durham — CricHubb