Ben Stokes named in Durham squad to face Northamptonshire

Ben Stokes will return to competitive action this Friday after being named in Durham's squad to face Northamptonshire. He had been left out of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand following a curfew breach and remains under investigation with fast bowler Gus Atkinson. Durham’s coach described Stokes as a competitor who loves to play and is focused on the four-day clash at Chester-le-Street, with a 15-man squad confirmed.

The ECB has not yet clarified his status for a third Test at Trent Bridge next week, though Stokes previously played for Durham this season, with 59 runs and five wickets.