Ryan Campbell is able to call upon England Men’s Test captain Ben Stokes for Durham’s Rothesay County Championship trip to New Road.
Ben Stokes returns to the fold and is in line to feature for the first time since June 2024 after completing his recovery from a facial injury.
Stokes’ last appearance for Durham also came against Worcestershire, at Banks Homes Riverside, having played three times during the 2024 season.
He is among a squad of 13 named by Campbell to head to the West Midlands as Durham look to stay top of Division Two with their third win of the season.
Will Rhodes returns to contention whilst Colin Ackermann drops out from the 14 named to face Middlesex.
Matthew Potts has been rested for the trip to Worcestershire whilst Kemar Roach drops out after his Durham stint was cut short due to a hamstring injury.
Having arrived in Chester-le-Street this week, Duanne Olivier will join up with the squad ahead of facing Worcestershire but is not available for selection this week.
Squad v Worcestershire (8-11 May)
Kasey Aldridge, David Bedingham, Graham Clark, Emilio Gay, Alex Lees*, Ben McKinney, James Minto, Callum Parkinson, Ben Raine, Will Rhodes, Luke Robinson, Ollie Robinson+, Ben Stokes.
Words from Ryan Campbell
It was a pretty docile wicket last week. We hung in there, I thought we were nearly at our best in our efforts with the ball, the stats and numbers suggest that. Ben Raine was absolutely outstanding again and all our bowlers churned away.
I also thought our batting was absolutely outstanding. All we ask is that by the end of day three that we are the only team who can win the game. If that keeps happening, the signs are there that we’re playing okay.
I think we go there full of confidence with the way we’re playing. There is going to be some changes though. Obviously Kemar [Roach] has gone down. I feel that Matthew Potts who has been herculean at the start of the year is at that stage where he probably needs a break to stay refreshed.
We are excited to have Ben Stokes back, he is a true great of English cricket. He hasn’t played for a long time so we’re not going to be reliant on him to win us a game of cricket. He’s going to fit in with us. He needs to make runs, he needs to bowl his overs and take wickets for us. Just like everyone else.
This game is a massive game for us. I think Worcestershire are a team with an incredible amount of fight in what they do. They have a very balanced and settled team. I think it’s going to be an awesome game of cricket and I’m sure we are up and about for it.
Opposition Corner
Captain: Brett D’Oliveira
Head coach: Alan Richardson
2025 finish: 10th (in Division One, relegated)
2025 highest run-scorer: Jake Libby (1,060)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Tom Taylor (58)
Key winter moves: Worcestershire have signed South African all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel on a red-ball contract for 2026. The 27-year-old will be available for the whole Rothesay County Championship season, his second stint in England after a spell with Kent in 2024. Despite the recent yo-yo history having continued with relegation last year, the squad assembled by the Pears over recent years appears strong enough to challenge for another promotion.
What we’re looking forward to seeing: The batting looks interesting. The Pears will look to Jake Libby for the customary crucial top-order anchor with the youthful exuberance of Dan Lategan and Isaac Mohammed fledging into the side around him. With Adam Hose back to fitness after a serious injury sustained in The Hundred, the New Road audience could be in for some entertaining days.
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: Ethan Brookes. With abundant natural talent, capable of playing truly thrilling and match-turning innings with the bat, the 24-year-old all-rounder clearly has the potential to become an international player.
Final thought: Adaptability has long been the watchword at Worcestershire and as much as ever this winter. Their pre-season plans, already accommodating frequent flooding at New Road, were further hit when a proposed trip to Oman was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East. Such inconvenience and adversity can either break or bond a squad. At New Road it is very much the latter. Expect a promotion challenge from them.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Worcestershire’s YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.