Ben Stokes: Former England captain likely to get franchise opportunities

Ben Stokes is likely to balance his county commitments with franchise cricket around the world, says Durham coach Ryan Campbell.

The former England Test captain, who made his final appearance against New Zealand at Trent Bridge earlier this month, underlined his continued value to Durham by helping them victory over Derbyshire with an unbeaten century in the One-Day Cup on Tuesday.

While Stokes intends to turn out in the majority of the side’s remaining matches this season, he has also spoken of his interest in playing overseas.

“He is now a retired Test superstar who has reported back for duty for Durham so we will basically plot a course that will involve playing in the One-Day Cup and playing as many of the six four-day matches,” Campbell told BBC Radio Tees.

“We’re obviously going to keep an eye on him if his loads are going through the roof but he’s tough. At this stage he’s going to play every game we can.

“Going forward, I would have thought that will include next year as well. We’ll sit down and for the first time have to work out a contract for him which is something we haven’t done before.

“But, just listening to him, there will be a couple of franchise worlds that he will want to put his toes into and with that, plus our stuff, I reckon it’s pretty exciting for him.”

Stokes, 35, has had stints in the IPL and the Big Bash in the past but has not played any franchise cricket abroad since 2023.

For the time being though, Durham will have the all-rounder back on board as they prepare to face Sussex in their next One-Day Cup match on Friday.

“He was talking about remembering when he was 17 or 18 getting into the Durham team and he’d have some England players playing against him or in the same team,” Campbell added.

“And he said – ‘How great was that when (Paul) Collingwood came back and played for us? I want our youngsters to feel the same thing now’.

“I think everyone who plays against him and will play with him in this competition will go – ‘I remember when I played with Ben Stokes’.”