Stokes set to make first Durham start of season
NEWLY-APPOINTED England Test captain Ben Stokes was named in the Durham squad for the first time this season ahead of today’s Lv=insurance County Championship Division Two match against Worcestershire at New Road.
The 30-year-old is in line to play his first Durham match of the season as he builds up to England’s Test series against New Zealand, which gets under way in June.
Stokes last featured for Durham in the County Championship during the 2021 season but due to a Covid outbreak in the England squad the left-hander withdrew from the county’s squad to captain England in their ODI series against Pakistan.
In that game at Edgbaston against Warwickshire, he claimed 3-55 from 17 overs but didn’t bat due to leaving the game midway through.
Head coach James Franklin has made two changes to the Durham squad which drew with Sussex last week, Oliver Gibson and George Drissell being omitted from the 14.
Brydon Carse is not yet available for selection and continues to build up his bowling with Durham Seconds, who are this week playing Derbyshire at Repton School.
Durham opener Alex Lees will be looking to continue the fine form he showed against Sussex, when he and Sean Dickson shared a 313-run opening stand in the second innings to secure the draw at Hove.
Lees, who made 105 as Dickson hit 186, said: “As a unit we didn’t bat very well in the first innings on what was a pretty good batting wicket.
“When Sean and I went out in the second innings we just batted normally to be honest.
“Sean played very fluently and we capitalised on a little bit of loose bowling.
“Whenever you score runs you are happy although I wasn’t as happy this time around as when I made 182 against Glamorgan with how I actually felt at the crease.
“However, that’s a good sign for me in terms of my mental application.
“When you don’t always feel right and can still score runs that’s pleasing.”
Lees has his sights on the New Zealand series and is keen for another taste of international cricket, having made his debut on the tour of the West Indies in March.
He added: “I need to be re-selected first and foremost.
“To be truthful I’m just trying to get my head down in the next three firstclass games.
“Having had a taste of Test cricket I want to play as much as I can but my only thoughts are short-term and making runs for Durham.”