Newly appointed England Men’s Test Captain Ben Stokes is named in the Durham squad for the first time this season ahead of tomorrow’s LV=Insurance County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road.
The 30-year-old is in line to play his first Durham match of the summer, as he prepares for England’s test series against New Zealand, which gets underway in June.
Stokes last featured for Durham in the County Championship during the 2021 season, but due to a covid outbreak in the England squad the left-hander withdrew from the Durham squad to captain England in their ODI series against Pakistan.
In that game at Edgbaston against Warwickshire, Stokes claimed 3/55 from 17 overs, but didn’t bat due to leaving the game mid-way through.
James Franklin has made 2 changes to the squad which travelled to Hove last week, with Oliver Gibson and George Drissell being omitted from the 14.
Brydon Carse is not yet available for selection and continues to build up his bowling with Durham Seconds who are this week playing against Derbyshire at Repton School.
Squad v Worcestershire (5-8 May)
David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick (c), Sean Dickson, Ned Eckersley +, Michael Jones, Alex Lees, Liam Trevaskis, Keegan Petersen, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Ben Stokes
Words from Alex Lees
It turned into a bit of a dull draw against Sussex. As a unit we didn’t bat very well in the first innings on what was a pretty good batting wicket. When Sean Dickson and I went out in the second innings we just batted normally to be honest. Sean played very fluently and we capitalised on a little bit of loose bowling.
Whenever you get runs you are happy although I wasn’t as happy this time around as when I got 182 against Glamorgan with how I actually felt at the crease but that’s a good sign for me in terms of my mental application.
When you don’t always feel right and can still score runs that’s pleasing. I need to get re-selected first and foremost [for the New Zealand Test series] and to be truthful I’m just trying to get my head down in the next three first-class games. Having had a taste of Test cricket I want to play as much as I can but my only thoughts are short-term and getting runs for Durham.
The Opposition
Coach: Alex Gidman
Captain: Brett D’Oliveira
Last year’s performance: 3rd (Division 3)
2021 leading run scorer: Jake Libby (1075, 56.57)
2021 leading wicket taker: Joe Leach (38, 30.02)
Overseas players: Azhar Ali (Pakistan)
Key player: Jake Libby – One of the country’s most in-form batters during the 2021 season, Libby led the way last season for the Pears with 1075 runs and was touted for an England call up during the winter. Having averaged almost 60 across the last two summers his move from Nottinghamshire to Worcestershire is proving a wise decision for the 29-year-old.
Under the radar: Ed Pollock – The 26-year-old returned to Worcestershire during the closed season from Warwickshire and has featured in Worcestershire’s first three County Championship games. Having only played in 5 First-class games while at Warwickshire the left hander started the season off in style with 112 against Leicestershire in the opening game of the season.
Young potential: Dillon Pennington – Having burst onto the scene in 2018, paceman Dillon Pennington has performed strongly since 2020 with 78 wickets following his debut against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and Worcestershire YouTube channel.