Ben Stokes Hits 108 for Durham After Retirement Announcement: Just weeks after retiring from international cricket following the series against New Zealand, former England captain Ben Stokes has made a spectacular return to domestic cricket. Upon rejoining the Durham squad, the star all-rounder smashed an unbeaten century on July 21, steering his team to a magnificent 5-wicket victory over Derbyshire in the opening match of the One-Day Cup.
Ben Stokes All-Round Show: 9 Overs, 38 Runs
Ben Stokes made an immediate impact with both bat and ball. Bowling as a right-arm pacer in the first innings, Stokes delivered a highly disciplined spell. He conceded just 38 runs in his 9 overs, playing a pivotal role in restricting Derbyshire to a total of 257/9.
Ben Stokes Unbeaten 108 Rescues Durham in Run Chase
Durham’s top order faltered while chasing the target of 258 runs. Following the early dismissal of Alex Lees, the team found itself in trouble at 24 for 2. Batting at number four, Ben Stokes paced his innings perfectly according to the situation:
- Controlled Aggression: He struck an excellent balance between defensive play and aggressive shot selection.
- Sixes Against Shoaib Bashir: Stokes hit 10 fours and 3 sixes, including two sixes off the bowling of his former England teammate, Shoaib Bashir.
- Match-Winning Knock: He scored an unbeaten 108 off 123 balls at a strike rate of 87.80, guiding Durham to victory in the final over.
Ben Stokes List A Records: Highlights &
Career Milestones in the 2026 One-Day Cup
This match was historic for both Ben Stokes and Durham:
- First List A Match for Durham Since 2014: This was Stokes’ first List A match for Durham since the One-Day Cup final played at Lord’s in 2014 (where he was named ‘Player of the Match’).
- 10th Career List A Century: This marked the 10th List A century of Stokes’ career. It is his first century since scoring 108 runs against the Netherlands in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- 12-Year Wait for a Durham Century: Stokes scored a List A century for Durham after a gap of nearly 12 years. He had previously scored 103 runs against Nottinghamshire in August 2014.
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