Ben Stokes: The England captain scored 95 runs for Durham as the national team’s struggle in the New Zealand Test

Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Banks Homes Riverside (Day Two)

Northamptonshire 450: Vasconcelos 187; Rain 3-63

Durham 183-3: Stokes 95 (118), Rhodes 58*; Conway 2-23, Sanderson 2-64

Match Scorecard

Ben Stokes scored 95 for Durham against Northamptonshire as England lost to New Zealand at The Oval.

The England captain, absent from the second Test due to being unavailable to investigate an incident in a London nightclub, was bowled five runs short of a century by pacer Harry Conway just after tea in Chester-le-Street.

It will be Stokes’ first century in first-class cricket since his 141 against India in the fourth Test in July 2025, his first in Tests since August 2022.

His knock of 118 balls, which included 18 fours, was a welcome return to form for the all-rounder with the bat.

Since Stokes’ century against India at Old Trafford, he had scored just 350 runs at an average of 25 in nine first-class matches before facing Northants.

Batting at number five, Stokes came into the middle with Durham 30-3 on day two in response to their opponents’ 450 all out.

The 35-year-old put on a 153-run stand for the fourth wicket with Will Rhodes.

Stokes was dismissed after stand-in captains Joe Root and Harry Brook took England to 100-3. Chasing an improbable 463 runs to beat New Zealand In the second test.

Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are under investigation for their part The incident took place at a venue in London After England’s first Test win, when they broke the team’s midnight curfew.

It’s an understanding process moving to a point Where the pair’s return has been cleared, although an official announcement may not come until the end of the second Test.

While all outcomes remain possible, Stokes is likely to return to lead England in the third and final Test at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday.