Ben Stokes hits century on return as Durham beat Derbyshire in One-Day Cup

Ben Stokes returned to competitive cricket for the first time since retiring from Test matches and scored a century as Durham defeated Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup. His innings was central to Durham securing the victory in the contest.

The match marked Stokes’s first appearance in competitive action following his decision to retire from Test matches. He answered that absence with a high-quality hundred described in reports as a stunning century. The performance helped Durham prevail over Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup fixture and drew attention because it was his first game back at this level.

Stokes’s return carried significant interest given his previous status as a Test player who had stepped away from that format. He converted that return into a major contribution with the bat, producing the century that underpinned Durham’s innings. The achievement reassured supporters that he was able to perform immediately upon resuming competitive play.

Durham benefited directly from the innings, with Stokes providing the backbone of their batting effort. The century was repeatedly cited as the decisive factor in the match outcome. Derbyshire were unable to overcome the total that Durham set with his help.

The One-Day Cup result adds a notable chapter to Stokes’s post-Test career, giving Durham a standout win with a high-profile player back in action. Reports singled out the quality and timing of the hundred as crucial to the team’s success.

Durham’s victory over Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup thus came on the back of Ben Stokes’s return and century. The match served as a clear statement of his immediate impact after stepping away from Test cricket.