LONDON: Ben Stokes is expected to bat and bowl for county side Durham as he returns to action for the first time since England’s disastrous Ashes campaign.

The England captain is set to face Worcestershire in a second division County Championship match starting on Friday.

The all-rounder suffered a freak injury when he was hit in the face by a ball during a net session while coaching academy players in February.

Stokes, 34, who suffered a groin strain during England’s recent 4-1 Ashes humbling in Australia, had to undergo reconstructive surgery.

Durham coach Ryan Campbell said Stokes could open the bowling at New Road in the absence of West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.

“He’ll be bowling for us, 100 percent,” Campbell told Britain’s Press Association news agency. “In one of the innings he might even go with the new ball, that’s in our thinking.

“We won’t expect him to bowl a million overs, it will be probably be around 20 to 25 overs for the game, but once he gets into the battle it’s hard to get him out of it.”

England’s international season starts with a three-Test series against New Zealand at Lord’s commencing on June 4.

Stokes enjoyed a revival as a Test-match bowler last year, taking 33 wickets at just over 23 apiece.

England have struggled to fill the position of opening bowler since the retirements of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes but Stokes’ recent injury record counts against using him in that slot.

Campbell underlined his plan was designed to benefit Durham rather than England.

“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,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026