Stokes strikes after eight balls on comeback
Stokes missed Durham's first four matches of the season as he recovered, and had long identified the trip to New Road as his first action of the season in the build-up to England's first Test against New Zealand, beginning on 4 June. Stokes' last match for Durham came almost two years ago against the same opponents, while his first match after being made Test captain in 2022 also came on this ground. On this occasion, with fellow England international Matthew Potts rested after a heavy early season workload, Stokes was required to take the new ball for only the fifth time in his first-class career.
Looking lean and with a spring in his approach to the crease, Stokes immediately bowled with pace and extracted bounce from an encouraging surface. Two balls into his second over, Stokes enticed left-hander Lategan to push at a back-of-a-length delivery outside the off stump, with a healthy edge held by wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson. Stokes takes wicket on County Championship return; Bears out for 147 v Yorkshire; Clarke hits 100 At the other end, Ben Raine had Jake Libby caught at second slip, then took a catch in his follow-through after Gareth Roderick edged on to his own pad.
When Kashif Ali slapped Luke Robinson to cover, Worcestershire were in danger of imploding. But Hose and D'Oliveira tucked into the expensive Kasey Aldridge as the home side rebuilt either side of the lunch break. Hose was dropped on 28 by Aldridge at second slip off the bowling of Raine.
Stokes bowled his second spell in the period up to lunch, showing frustration at himself when he drifted on to the pads of Hose to be clipped for four. As Worcestershire built momentum in the hour after the interval, Stokes went unused - a sign of the dilemma faced by Durham when their opening bowler is being carefully managed. The first rain interruption sent the players from the field for almost two hours.
When they returned, Stokes was back into the attack but managed only five balls before rain arrived once more. On the resumption, Stokes struck immediately. Hose looked late on one that crashed into the stumps, with Stokes wheeling away in celebration.