Ben Stokes to bowl with new ball in Durham return against Worcestershire
England captain Ben Stokes will make his return from a facial injury by bowling for Durham against Worcestershire on Friday.
The 34-year-old has not played since the Ashes after a stray ball required reconstructive surgery to his face.
His body has endured significant wear over the past year, having previously battled recurring shoulder and groin complaints.
However, there will be no gentle reintroduction for the dynamic all-rounder at New Road.
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell confirmed the returning star will take a full part with the ball in the County Championship fixture.
New-ball responsibilities
The departure of West Indian seamer Kemar Roach means the Test skipper could even be handed the new ball by county captain Alex Lees.
“He’ll be bowling for us, 100 per cent,” Campbell told the Press Association.
“In one of the innings he might even go with the new ball, that’s in our thinking.”
Campbell expects the talismanic cricketer to deliver around 20 to 25 overs across the entire match.
He added that once the fiercely competitive player enters the battle, it is notoriously difficult to withdraw him from the attack.
England’s opening bowler headache
Taking the new ball for his county provides an intriguing narrative ahead of the international summer.
The national side has struggled to fill the opening bowler void following the gradual departures of veterans like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
The left-handed batter enjoyed a bowling renaissance last year, topping his country’s wicket-taking charts with 33 dismissals at an average of 23.12.
Despite his undeniable international pedigree, Durham’s management insists his domestic deployment is purely focused on securing a county victory.
“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,” Campbell added.
Meanwhile, England white-ball captain Harry Brook is also set to make his first county appearance of the season for Yorkshire.