As England gears up for their tour of Pakistan next month, there’s a notable fitness boost with Ben Stokes back in action.
After Durham’s victory over Lancashire at Chester-le-Street, Stokes provided a promising update on his recovery.
Stokes’ Return to Form
Ben Stokes, who missed the recent series against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Hundred, demonstrated significant progress in his recovery.
He spent over an hour batting at his county ground, signaling that he’s on track to return to peak fitness.
Potts’ Impressive Performance
Meanwhile, the spotlight also shone on Matthew Potts, who took nine wickets for 68 runs to secure an innings victory for Durham.
This was an exceptional performance, marking the first nine-wicket haul in the Championship since Liam Norwell’s dramatic display two years ago.
Potts, who was left out of England’s recent match against Sri Lanka, took the opportunity to shine brightly.
“It was great to come back and deliver for the boys at the end of the season,” he said.
He had a challenging first day, bowling 10 overs for 30 runs and taking five wickets, but he later returned to finish the job, dismissing Anderson Phillip before lunch on the fourth day.
Potts Reflects on His Performance
Potts humorously reflected on his efforts, noting how he had tossed the old ball aside with relief after taking the second new ball.
“It’s a disgusting thing,” he joked, “I’ve got it in my pocket and it looks as though I’ve been throwing it for my dogs for an hour.”
His match figures of 12 for 126 highlight his standout performance.
Although Potts has yet to play a Test match abroad, he’s been selected for England’s squad for the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan.
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