England Test captain Ben Stokes has put himself forward as a possible new-ball option for the Test series against New Zealand next month after taking two wickets for Durham in his first appearance since the Ashes.
Taking the field for the first time since a dispiriting 4-1 defeat concluded in January, Stokes opened the bowling on day one of his county comeback against Worcestershire, finishing with figures of 2-40 from his 14 overs.
Stokes had planned to make his county return at the start of the season but saw his plans derailed in pre-season, when an accidental blow to the face left him needing reconstructive surgery to repair a badly broken cheekbone.
Stokes’ return to action was delayed after being hit by a cricket ball in training
Having been given the all-clear by specialists, the 34-year-old was straight back into the Durham side for a first County Championship appearance in two years, filling a pace bowling void left by an injury to Kemar Roach and the absence of England team-mate Matthew Potts.
Stokes did not waste any time making his presence felt after his side won the toss and inserted their hosts at New Road, tempting opener Daniel Lategan to nick off with his eighth delivery of the morning.
Stokes added a second late on in a rain-interrupted day, nailing Brett D’Oliveira’s off stump with his first ball after an hour-long delay, Worcestershire ultimately closing the day on 199-7.
Brook makes Yorkshire bow as Cook and Robinson nudge England selectors
England white-ball captain Harry Brook, also making his first county appearance of the summer for Yorkshire, is 29 not out heading into day two of their Division One clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Harry Brook made his first appearance of the summer for Yorkshire
The visitors had earlier bowled the Bears out for just 147 after winning the toss – Jack White the pick of the bowlers with 4-49 – before Yorkshire reached stumps on 110-4.
Essex seamer Sam Cook and Sussex skipper Ollie Robinson boosted their prospects of returning to the England Test fold as they each took three wickets in their side’s respective matches against Hampshire and Leicestershire.
Sam Cook claimed three wickets for Essex on day one of their match against Hampshire
Cook, who claimed his lone Test cap last summer against Zimbabwe, took 3-56 to help dismiss Division One’s bottom side Hampshire for 235 at Chelmsford, before Essex closed the day on 51-2 in reply.
Robinson, meanwhile, finished with figures of 3-85 as Sussex bowled Leicestershire out for 328 in Hove.
Could Sussex’s Ollie Robinson be set to add to his 20 England Test caps this summer?
England hopeful James Rew failed to further his Test ambitions as he opened the batting for Somerset for the first time in his first-class career but was bowled for just four by Glamorgan’s Tim van der Gugten
The highly rated 22-year-old moved to the top of the order – one the national side have been keen for him to take to advance his claims as an alternative to Zak Crawley – but fell cheaply when attempting a lavish drive.
Somerset ultimately recovered to 337-9 by stumps, Tom Abell top-scoring with 86.
Finally in Division One, Joe Clarke starred for defending champions Nottinghamshire on day one of their meeting with Surrey at Trent Bridge, hitting an unbeaten 129 as they closed on 317-7 – Daniel Worrall claiming 5-61 for the visitors.
In Division Two, Middlesex dismissed Lancashire for 201 in their meeting at Old Trafford, before reaching 38-2 in reply, with 43-year-old James Anderson (2-22) making two late breakthroughs.
Derbyshire racked up the runs against Northamptonshire, closing day one on 342-3, while Gloucestershire were bowled out for 325 against Kent.
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