Ben Stokes' return to competitive cricket lasted just 14 deliveries as the England captain was dismissed for a modest 14 on the second day of Durham's County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road.
Walking to the crease for the first time in five months since the Ashes, Stokes looked to find his rhythm after recovering from a groin injury sustained during the fifth Test against Australia and a broken cheekbone suffered in an accident while coaching the Durham academy. However, a loose drive on the 17th ball he faced saw him edge to second slip, handing young Worcestershire pace bowler Jack Home a memorable first scalp.
Home, playing only his third first-class match at age 20, had already made his mark with an unbeaten 63 batting at number 10 before claiming the prized wicket of Stokes with his very first delivery to the England captain. He and debutant Harry Darley added a crucial 57 runs for the final wicket to lift Worcestershire to 308 all out.
It was a far cry from Stokes' last visit to this ground four years ago, when he announced himself as England captain with a breathtaking 161 off just 88 balls, including 17 sixes—five of them in a single over from spinner Josh Baker. That innings epitomized the aggressive brand of cricket "Bazball" would become known for.
But Stokes' batting has evolved since then, shifting gears in response to both personal form dips and the demands of leading a struggling England side. During the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, his scoring rate slowed as he embodied the "dog" he demanded from his teammates, a contrast to head coach Brendon McCullum's call for unwavering attacking intent.
On this sunny Saturday at New Road, the priority was simply getting back in the groove. Carded to bat at seven, Stokes was promoted to number five after Emilio Gay—an England hopeful himself—was dismissed for 28. David Bedingham anchored Durham's reply with a fine 83, but the visitors finished the day at 207-6, still trailing by 101 runs with four wickets in hand.
For Stokes, this innings was about more than runs—it was a step back into the arena, a chance to shake off the rust and rediscover the timing that once made him cricket's most feared all-rounder.