Ben Stokes defied severe cramp to grab the headlines once again with a typically gutsy century on his return to competitive action for the first time since retiring from Test cricket three weeks ago. He helped Durham beat Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup.
The all-rounder was playing his first List A game for his county for nearly 12 years and displayed all his hallmark grit as he battled repeated bouts of cramp – collapsing in pain as he reached his fifty – to drag his side to their target of 257 with a superb knock of 108 not out.
Earlier Stokes went wicketless in bowling nine overs as Derbyshire’s Martin Andersson’s well-measured century formed the backbone of the Falcons’ 256-9.
Ben Aitchison’s two early wickets pegged Durham back but Stokes got good support from Will Rhodes (45), Colin Ackermann and Ollie Robinson, as he hobbled past three figures to complete a stunning domestic return and seal a five-wicket win.
More to follow.
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