Ben Stokes is set to play his first match since retiring from international cricket, turning out for Durham in the One-Day Cup against Derbyshire on Tuesday. His return matters because it marks the next step in his career after a sudden England exit and shows how county cricket has become central to his future in the game. It also places one of England’s biggest cricket figures back in the domestic spotlight just as the new season of The Hundred begins.

Stokes, 35, retired during England’s third Test against New Zealand last month after saying he had developed “negative feelings” about playing for England, though he said time back with Durham had revived his enjoyment of cricket. He has already appeared for Durham in the County Championship and could play again in that competition later this season, but Tuesday’s match will be his first domestic 50-over game for Durham in 12 years and his first 50-over match of any kind since the 2023 World Cup. His return also comes amid wider change in English cricket, with the relaunched Hundred starting the same day after investors bought stakes in its eight franchises for about £520m.