Stokes set for Championship return with Durham

England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to play his first County Championship match for two years when Durham play Lancashire on Friday (11:00 BST).

Stokes last featured in a Championship game for Durham in May 2022.

But, as the 32-year-old begins his preparations for England's Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka later this summer, he will play in the four-day Division One match at Stanley Park in Blackpool.

"I suggest if you've got a few days over the weekend, you get yourself down to Blackpool to watch the great Ben Stokes' return for Durham," said the club's head coach Ryan Campbell.

Stokes is not going to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA next month as he wants to focus on regaining his fitness to fulfil his role as an all-rounder in the Test team.