After international retirement, Stokes delivers match‑winning hundred for Durham

Ben Stokes, the 35‑year‑old former England all‑rounder, announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year. On July 22, he proved that his domestic form remains as lethal as ever, scoring an unbeaten 108 for Durham in a One‑Day Cup clash with Derbyshire.

Derbyshire managed 256 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their full 50 overs, highlighted by a polished hundred from Martin Anderson. Durham’s start was shaky, losing two early wickets, but Stokes steadied the innings. Throughout his knock, he suffered intermittent muscle cramps that even saw him briefly collapse on the field after reaching fifty runs.

Undeterred, Stokes pressed on, hitting ten fours and three sixes to reach a personal milestone. Backed by contributions from Will Rods, Colin Eckerman and Oli Robinson, Durham chased down the target in 49.1 overs, finishing at 257 for 5.

While he bowled nine overs, Stokes did not take any wickets, making his batting the defining factor of the match. This appearance marked his first List‑A game for Durham in roughly 12 years, the last major one‑day appearance being the 2014 World Cup final, where he helped England secure the trophy.

Stokes’ retirement from England came amid controversy over a London nightclub incident that ruled him out of the second Test against New Zealand. He returned to county cricket, stating that the domestic environment restored his enthusiasm for the sport. He declined participation in the Hundred’s player auction, opting to focus solely on Durham’s One‑Day Cup campaign and possibly a few remaining county matches.