England Captain Ben Stokes Plays for Durham After Missing New Zealand Test for Curfew Breach

England Test captain Ben Stokes, 35, returned to county cricket on Friday after being left out of the second Test against New Zealand for breaking the team's midnight curfew. Stokes is playing for Durham against Northamptonshire at Chester-le-Street. By tea on day one he had figures of 0-26 from nine overs after a catch was dropped off his first over.

Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said he was "bemused" by questions about Stokes' state of mind. '. He has been absolutely fine. He is very positive and is always very positive," Bostock told BBC Look North.

England coach Brendon McCullum spoke at a press conference on Monday. He repeatedly said he was "worried" about Stokes and refused to back him to return as captain. The incident occurred on 8 June in a London nightclub.

Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were present when a member of security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player. An investigation by authorities remains ongoing, and the England and Wales Cricket Board is hopeful of a swift resolution, though no update is expected on Friday. England introduced the curfew after off-field incidents during last winter's Ashes series in Australia.

After the June incident there were concerns Stokes might retire, but those eased when he returned to training with Durham last weekend. Stokes and Atkinson both returned to the field on Friday. Atkinson dismissed Kiran Carlson and Ben Kellaway in his first 11 overs for Surrey against Glamorgan.

There is a growing likelihood he will return as captain for the third Test at Trent Bridge, which begins on Thursday. If selected, Stokes and Atkinson may need to be withdrawn from their county matches.