DERBY: Ben Stokes unbeaten century powered Durham to a five-wicket victory over Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup at the County Ground on Tuesday.

Playing for the first time since his international retirement, Stokes finished with 108* from 123 deliveries, including three sixes and 10 fours, helping his side chase down 257 in 49.1 overs.

Opting to bat first, Derbyshire managed to score 256-9 in 50 overs, largely due to Martin Andersson’s fine hundred.

After losing an early wicket, the right-handed batter forged a 112-run partnership with Brooke Guest, who made 48 off 76, taking the total to 126 inside 27.4 overs.

However, the momentum shifted quickly after Guest’s dismissal as Andersson kept losing partners at the other end. He was eventually dismissed for 112 from 118 balls, including 10 fours and a six, in the 45th over.

For Durham, Luke Robinson remained the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets while Ben Stokes also bowled nine overs but went wicketless.

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Durham were rocked early in the chase, losing both openers for 24 inside eight overs.

Ben Stokes, who came in at number four, held the innings together. The left-hander shared a vital 75-run stand with Will Rhodes, who made 45 off 60 balls, to lift his side.

After Rhodes’ departure, Stokes carried on and anchored the chase, stringing together a couple of crucial stands in the middle-order. The 35-year-old completed his half-century with a six and four, coming off the edge.

The match could have shifted either way as Stokes collapsed after raising his fifty and required treatment on his left leg. Yet, he continued batting and kept Durham in the hunt.

Despite struggling with his injury, Stokes brought up his century off 116 balls before Kasey Aldridge hit the winning runs with the first ball of the final over.

For those unaware, Ben Stokes retired from international cricket midway through the third Test against New Zealand last month.

The all-rounder brought the curtains down on a stellar 15-year-career, during which he played a vital role in the country’s maiden 50-over World Cup triumph and second T20 World Cup title. His match-winning fifty in the T20 World Cup 2022 final remains the only half-century of his T20I career.

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