Ben Stokes named in Durham squad to face Northamptonshire

Ben Stokes is set to return to competitive cricket for Durham against Northamptonshire, after being named in the squad for Friday's four-day clash following a curfew breach that sidelined him from the ongoing second Test against New Zealand. The England captain has faced an independent investigation, with the Cricket Regulator examining the incident from a London nightspot. Durham’s coach described Stokes as upbeat and back in training, while the ECB confirmed his availability for selection. His return comes amid ongoing debates about leadership, with former players like Lord Ian Botham predicting potential changes to his captaincy depending on how the situation unfolds.

Stokes has played twice for Durham this season, but his status for the third Test at Trent Bridge remains unclear as the regulatory process continues.