Stokes out for 14 in first innings since Ashes

Ben Stokes is playing his first match for Durham for almost two years [Getty Images] Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, New Road, Worcester (day one) Worcestershire 308: Home 63*, Hose 59, D'Oliveira 41; Raine 5-63, Stokes 2-54 Durham 207-6: Bedingham 83, Clark 48*; Waite 2-28, Taylor 2-52 Durham (3 pts) trail Worcestershire (4 pts) by 101 runs with four wickets remaining Match scorecard Ben Stokes made only 14 in his first innings for five months on the second day of Durham's County Championship match at Worcestershire. Stokes, batting for the first time since the Ashes, played a loose poke to the 17th delivery he faced and was caught at second slip. It continued a dream day for Worcestershire 20-year-old Jack Home.

In his third first-class match, the pace bowler followed up an unbeaten 63 batting at number 10 by dismissing Stokes with the first ball he bowled to the England captain. Home and debutant Harry Darley added 57 for the last wicket, taking Worcestershire to 308 all out. Durham reached 207-6 in reply, thanks mainly to 83 from David Bedingham.

England hopeful Emilio Gay was earlier dismissed for 28. On this ground four years ago, in his first innings since being appointed England captain, Stokes demonstrated the aggression he wanted his team to adopt. He crashed 161 from only 88 deliveries, including 17 sixes.

Five of them came in succession off one over from late Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker. But Stokes' batting has gradually shifted down the gears, both in response to his own mixed form and the plight of his England side. In the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, Stokes' scoring almost ground to a halt as he attempted to demonstrate the "dog" he demanded from his team-mates.