England captain Ben Stokes is named in Durham’s 15-man squad for the County Championship match against Northamptonshire, scheduled to begin on Friday. Multiple outlets report that the move marks Stokes’s return to county cricket. During the match, Stokes takes a wicket for Durham, contributing to their performance against Northamptonshire. Sky News also notes that Stokes’s county appearance comes amid discussion of a possible reintroduction to England contention for the third Test against New Zealand. The reports collectively frame the county game as part of Stokes’s ongoing preparation and availability ahead of the international series, though they do not confirm any final selection decision for the Test. Durham’s inclusion of Stokes in their squad is presented as the key update, with his impact in the match—specifically his wicket—highlighted by coverage from Sky. The BBC similarly reports Stokes’s naming in the squad for Friday’s fixture.