What next for Stokes after tumultuous summer?
After concluding the county summer with Durham and the end of his England central contract, what is in store for Ben Stokes?
After a tumultuous summer, Ben Stokes is now open to offers from various cricket leagues across the globe. The 35-year-old all-rounder took 25 wickets in seven Championship matches in 2026, contributing to Durham's Division Two title victory. With no central contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes has begun his next chapter in cricket.
In December, he will play in the Big Bash in Australia, followed by South Africa's SA T20 in January and the IPL in India in March. However, Stokes is ineligible to participate in the IPL due to England's international commitments and eligibility restrictions for global franchises. He may also consider playing in Pakistan's PSL, Major League Cricket in the US, and England's The Hundred tournament.
Stokes has shown great loyalty to his boyhood club Durham, contributing significantly to their successful season. His all-round performance, including his impressive bowling figures of 6-94 and 25 wickets, has left a lasting impact on the team. Durham's new director of cricket, Ryan Campbell, is optimistic that Stokes will return to county cricket in the near future.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
