Ben Stokes Hammers an Unbeaten 90 on his Return from Injury

England’s premier all-rounder Ben Stokes has made a strong return to cricket after an injury break of over a month, making 90* off 68 balls for Durham in the T20 Blast.

Meanwhile, Stokes sustained a tear in his left hamstring during the Test series against Pakistan. As a result, he missed a part of the series and subsequent Scotland and Australia series that followed. However, he is in line to return to the squad for the third T20I against India on July 8 (Sunday).

Stokes, who played only as a batsman in Durham’s match against Yorkshire on July 5, opened the innings. He got off to a cautious start, making just 4 off the first 16 deliveries he faced before coming out of the shackles. The southpaw got to his half-century with a six off his 52nd ball, before accelerating further. He finished with nine fours and three sixes.

However, it wasn’t enough to stop his side from losing. Adam Lyth’s 92* off 54 balls had anchored the Yorkshire total of 200/3. Stokes got little support as Jack Brooks’ opening burst had opener Graham Clark and No.3 Paul Collingwood walking back without doing much for the total, setting up Durham’s 44-run defeat.

On the other hand, veteran English seamer Stuart Broad had injections in his left ankle. Furthermore, the doctors advised him to rest for five days to address an ongoing ligament problem.

The discomfort that forced Broad off the field in a county match was not likely to be anything serious. But the pace bowler, who will start the proceedings against India in the Tests starting on 1 August, now has the task of proving his match fitness. He is in line to play the 22 July County Championship match for Nottinghamshire against Surrey.

Broad’s new-ball partner and England’s other injury concern, James Anderson, who has been resting a shoulder injury, is also set to play for Lancashire in the 22 July round of matches.

Before that, he will turn out for the second XI on 15 July in a specially-arranged three-day game.

Also read: Aiden Markram keen to extend good form to overseas tour