Ben Stokes scores 108* on 50-over return as Durham beat Derbyshire
Synopsis
Eleven years after his last List A game for Durham, Ben Stokes walked out, cramped up at fifty, refused to quit, and hit 108 not out to win the match. It is the kind of innings that reminds you why his retirement from international cricket felt so abrupt — and raises the question of what, exactly, he is retiring from.
Key Takeaways
Ben Stokes scored 108 not out for Durham against Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup on Tuesday .
Durham won by five wickets , successfully chasing a target of 257 .
It was Stokes's first List A match for Durham in nearly 12 years — his previous appearance came in the 2014 One-Day Cup final .
Stokes battled severe cramps throughout, collapsing at his fifty before going on to three figures.
Martin Andersson had anchored Derbyshire's total of 256/9 with a century of his own.
Stokes could play further domestic cricket for Durham in the County Championship before the season ends.
Ben Stokes marked his return to 50-over cricket with a gritty, unbeaten 108 on Tuesday, steering Durham to a five-wicket victory over Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup — his first List A appearance for the county in nearly 12 years. The innings came just days after the 35-year-old all-rounder announced his retirement from international cricket during England's third Test against New Zealand.
The Innings That Defied the Body
Stokes battled repeated and severe bouts of cramps throughout his knock, collapsing in pain as he reached his half-century. Despite the physical setback, he refused to yield, hobbling past three figures to anchor the chase of 257. He received crucial support from Will Rhodes (45), Colin Ackermann, and Ollie Robinson as Durham sealed the win.
With the ball, Stokes was less effective — going wicketless across his nine overs. Derbyshire Falcons had posted 256/9 in their 50 overs, anchored by a well-paced century from Martin Andersson. Durham's chase got off to a shaky start when Ben Aitchison claimed two early wickets, but Stokes steadied the ship emphatically.
A Comeback Steeped in History
Stokes's last 50-over appearance for Durham came in the 2014 One-Day Cup final against Warwickshire, a match Durham won. Earlier in that same tournament, a then-23-year-old Stokes had blazed 164 in the semi-final against Nottinghamshire. His most recent domestic one-day outing of any kind was for Canterbury in New Zealand in 2017, during the period he missed England's Ashes tour following the Bristol nightclub incident.
At the international level, Stokes had not played any 50-over cricket since England's 2023 ODI World Cup campaign — a campaign that ultimately doubled as his farewell to limited-overs cricket for his country.
The Context Behind the Return
Stokes had agreed to represent Durham in the One-Day Cup before announcing his international retirement, which means Tuesday's appearance was pre-planned rather than reactive. Notably, he chose not to enter the player auction for The Hundred — whose new season launched on the same day — a competition that has just completed its first cycle since all eight franchises were sold to investors for around £520 million, bringing new branding, team identities, and elevated player salaries.
The all-rounder had previously played for Durham in the County Championship against Northamptonshire while away from the England squad during an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub. He later acknowledged that experience as the catalyst that reignited his passion for the game.
What Comes Next
With the domestic season still ongoing, Stokes could feature again for Durham in the County Championship before the curtain comes down. Tuesday's performance will only strengthen the case for his continued involvement — cramps and all.
Point of View
Match-winning 108 in List A cricket is a tension worth examining. His body gave way twice on Tuesday — and he still won the game. The more interesting story is not the innings itself but what it signals: a cricketer recalibrating his workload on his own terms, choosing county cricket over The Hundred auction, domestic rhythm over franchise money. Whether that points to a future England white-ball recall — or simply a man finishing his career at the ground where it began — is the question English cricket will be watching all summer.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ben Stokes score on his 50-over return for Durham?
Ben Stokes scored an unbeaten 108 for Durham against Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup on Tuesday, helping his side chase 257 and win by five wickets. He battled severe cramps throughout the innings, collapsing in pain at his fifty before going on to three figures.
When was Ben Stokes's last List A match for Durham before Tuesday?
Stokes's last List A appearance for Durham was in the 2014 One-Day Cup final against Warwickshire, nearly 12 years before Tuesday's game. His last domestic one-day match of any kind was for Canterbury in New Zealand in 2017.
Why did Ben Stokes retire from international cricket?
Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket during England's third Test against New Zealand. The source does not detail his stated reasons beyond the announcement itself.
Did Ben Stokes play in The Hundred on the same day?
No. Stokes chose not to enter The Hundred player auction and instead represented Durham in the One-Day Cup. The Hundred's new season — its first since all eight franchises were sold for around £520 million — happened to launch on the same day as his Durham appearance.
What can we expect from Ben Stokes for the rest of the domestic season?
Stokes could feature for Durham again in the County Championship before the season concludes. Tuesday's match-winning performance is likely to encourage further appearances at the domestic level.
