There is a welcome shift in fortune for Ben Stokes and his supporters. The England Test captain has been absent from competitive action since the 2025-26 Ashes, with the final match of that series taking place in January earlier this year. England ultimately went down 4-1, and the situation worsened soon after when Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone during Durham training nets. He required surgery later on, and the incident could easily have ended far worse—making the recent developments even more significant for the all-rounder.
Key takeaways
- Ben Stokes has not played competitive cricket since the 2025-26 Ashes ended in January.
- England lost the Ashes series 4-1, and Stokes suffered a cheekbone fracture at Durham nets a few weeks later.
- Stokes underwent surgery after the injury and has now been cleared to return to county action.
- Durham begin a match against Worcestershire on Friday, with coach Ryan Campbell confirming Stokes will feature.
- Durham’s setup suggests Stokes could be used with the new ball in at least one innings.
- Another county outing is scheduled before England’s three-Test series in June, starting on June 4.
Durham confirm Stokes’ return and role
As the English county season gets underway, Durham are set to take on Worcestershire from Friday, and the club has moved to bring Stokes back into the fold. Ryan Campbell, the Durham coach, stated that Stokes is expected to take part in the match and emphasised that there are no concerns about his readiness.
Campbell also highlighted that Stokes should be available to bowl “100%,” adding that the team is considering using him with the new ball during one of the innings. The message from Durham is clear: the objective is to have Stokes contribute directly to winning matches for the county side rather than treating the game as preparation time for international cricket.
In Campbell’s words, the club has made its intentions plain—Stokes is part of the team to help Durham win, not to simply ease himself back into rhythm for England. He further suggested that bringing Stokes into the environment will bring extra attention, but also noted the added responsibility that comes with maintaining high standards when such a player returns.
Campbell added that Stokes sets very high personal benchmarks and is likely to be a familiar sight around training, including being among the first involved in fielding drills, throwing sessions, and regular ball work. He also acknowledged that the presence of Stokes will bring more media focus, while the squad’s approach remains grounded in performance and expectations.
The tough spell since the Ashes and what comes next
Stokes’ return comes after a difficult run at the end of the Ashes cycle. He was fortunate to be retained as England’s Test captain last month following an investigation into England’s Ashes performance. He also reflected on how challenging the months following the series have been, describing the last three months as the hardest stretch of his captaincy so far.
With England set to play a three-Test contest in June in New Zealand, the schedule moves quickly. The first Test of that tour begins on June 4, leaving Stokes with limited time to build rhythm in the lead-up. Before the international series, he has one additional county match available—against Kent—starting on May 15.
For Stokes, the next couple of weeks therefore carry significant spotlight, both because of his recent absence and because of how closely the county fixtures sit to England’s Test commitments. With Durham confirming he will play against Worcestershire from Friday, the focus now shifts to how soon he can regain his best form after injury and a demanding period since the Ashes.
