Ben Stokes managed just 14 runs in his first innings in five months during the second day of Durham’s County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road.
Batting for the first time since the Ashes, Stokes edged a loose shot off his 17th delivery and was caught at second slip.
The dismissal capped a remarkable day for Worcestershire’s 20-year-old Jack Home. Playing only his third first-class match, the pace bowler followed up an unbeaten 63 batting at number 10 by claiming Stokes’ wicket with his very first ball bowled to the England captain.
Home and debutant Harry Darley added 57 runs for the final wicket, lifting Worcestershire to 308 all out.
In reply, Durham reached 207-6, thanks largely to 83 from David Bedingham. England hopeful Emilio Gay was dismissed for 28 earlier in the innings.
Four years ago on this same ground, Stokes had smashed 161 off just 88 balls—including 17 sixes—in his first innings after being named England captain. Five of those sixes came in a single over from late Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker.
However, Stokes’ batting has since shifted gears, reflecting both his own inconsistent form and the struggles of the England side. During the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, his scoring slowed dramatically as he sought to embody the “dog” he demanded from teammates, contrasting with head coach Brendon McCullum’s public call for continued attacking intent.
On a sunny Saturday at New Road, Stokes was simply seeking batting rhythm after recovering from a groin injury sustained in the fifth Ashes Test and a broken cheek from an accident while coaching the Durham academy.
Originally scheduled to bat at number seven, Stokes moved up to five when Gay was caught behind off Tom Taylor. After six scoreless deliveries, he got off the mark with a nudge to fine leg off seamer Darley. An inside edge off experienced Taylor narrowly missed his legs, and Stokes appeared settled with two boundaries—a straight drive off Darley and a fine tickle off Taylor.
But when Home replaced Darley, Stokes failed to gauge the youngster, considered the fastest bowler on Worcestershire’s staff. With no footwork, Stokes flirted at a back-of-a-length ball, offering an edge to Ethan Brookes, who took a smart tumbling catch.
As Stokes builds toward England’s first Test against New Zealand on 4 June, he will have another chance to bat in Durham’s second innings, and may also feature against Kent next week.
Earlier on Saturday, Stokes bowled six overs without adding to his two wickets from the first day. He delivered three overs at the start of the morning session and three with the second new ball, finishing with 20 overs for the innings.
With Stokes’ workload managed, his absence from the attack was felt when Home and Darley—combined age 41 and with just two previous first-class matches between them—frustrated Durham with a 10th-wicket stand. Darley, 21, was dogged in support, facing 108 balls for his 12 runs. Home played some fine shots, including a cover drive off Stokes for four, and hit two sixes in his 106-ball innings.
Their partnership delayed lunch and ended when Darley edged behind off Ben Raine, giving the Durham seamer his third five-wicket haul of the season.
