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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 for the first time since the Ashes.
Taking the field for the first time since the disappointing 4-1 defeat in January, Stokes opened the bowling against Worcestershire on the first day of his county return, finishing with figures of 2-40 from his 14 overs.
Stokes had planned to return to his county 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 by being hit by a cricket ball in practice
Given the all-clear by the experts, the 34-year-old returned to the Durham side for the first County Championship in two years, filling the pace bowling void of Kemar Roach’s injury and the absence of England team-mate Matthew Potts.
Stokes wasted no time in making his presence felt after winning the toss and introducing their hosts at New Road, tempting opener Daniel Lettigan with his eighth delivery of the morning.
Stokes added a second late on a rain-interrupted day, nailing Brett D’Oliveira’s first ball off stump after an hour’s delay, as Worcestershire eventually finished the day on 199-7.
Cook and Robinson shock England selectors to Brook Yorkshire
Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, made his first county appearance in the summer YorkshireUnbeaten by 29 runs on day two of the Division One clash with them Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Harry Brook made his first appearance for Yorkshire in the summer
The visitors had earlier bowled out the Bears for just 147 after winning the toss – Jack White picking the bowlers with 4-49 – before Yorkshire reached stumps on 110-4.
Essex Pacer Sam Cooke and Sussex captain Olly Robinson boosted England’s chances of returning to Tests with three wickets each in their respective matches against Hampshire and Leicestershire.
Sam Cooke took three wickets for Essex on day one against Hampshire
Cook, who claimed his only Test cap against Zimbabwe last summer, took 3-56 to help the side out of the bottom of Division One. Hampshire before 235 at Chelmsford, Essex 51-2 in reply to close the day.
Robinson, meanwhile, finished with figures of 3-85 Sussex Bold Leicestershire Hove all out for 328 runs.
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 Somerset For the first time in his first-class career, he was bowled for just four runs GlamorganBy Tim van der Gugen
The highly-rated 22-year-old moved to the top of the order – with a national side keen to push his claims for him as a replacement for Jack Crowley – but fell cheaply when attempting a brilliant drive.
Somerset eventually recovered to 337-9 at stumps, with Tom Abel top-scoring with 86.
Finally in Division One, Joe Clark starred for the defending champions Nottinghamshire On the first day of meeting them in surrey At Trent Bridge, they hit an unbeaten 129 as they closed on 317-7 – with Daniel Worrall claiming 5-61 for the visitors.
In two sections, Middlesex dismissed Lancashire 43-year-old James Anderson (2-22) produced two late breakthroughs before North reached 38-2 for 201 in their meeting at Old Trafford.
Derbyshire Racked up the run against NorthamptonshireLast day first 342-3, when Gloucestershire Was all out for 325 runs against Kent.
Watch England’s home international summer live sky sports, The three-match Test series against New Zealand will begin from June 4. Didn’t get the sky? Stream contract free cricket now.
