Ben Stokes marked his return to one day cricket with a match winning unbeaten century as Durham defeated Derbyshire by five wickets in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. The England all rounder battled cramps during his innings but stayed at the crease to guide his side home in a memorable comeback.

Ben Stokes delivers with bat after tidy spell

Stokes first made an impact with the ball, bowling nine economical overs as Derbyshire finished on 256 for 9. Although he did not take a wicket, he kept the pressure on throughout his spell. Martin Andersson led Derbyshire’s batting effort with a well made century, helping his side post a competitive total.

Durham’s chase began on a poor note as they were reduced to 24 for 2. Stokes then steadied the innings with a calm approach, building valuable partnerships to keep the hosts in the contest. Soon after reaching his half century, he was troubled by severe cramps and required treatment on the field.

Gritty hundred seals Durham victory

Despite the discomfort, Stokes refused to retire and continued to bat with determination. He found good support from Will Rhodes, Colin Ackermann and Ollie Robinson as Durham edged closer to the target.

The experienced all rounder eventually reached his century and remained unbeaten on 108, taking Durham to a five wicket victory. His knock combined patience with controlled aggression and proved to be the difference in the chase.

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The innings was Stokes’ first List A appearance for Durham since 2014 and marked a successful return to the 50 over format. While he went wicketless with the ball, his unbeaten century highlighted his resilience and match winning ability.

Durham will be encouraged by both the victory and Stokes’ return to form. His performance served as another reminder of his ability to deliver under pressure and inspire his team when it matters most.