Ben Stokes signs three-year contract extension with Durham

Ben Stokes will remain a Durham player at least until the end of the 2024 season, after signing a new three-year contract extension with the club.

Stokes, 30, recently returned to action with England in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane, after missing much of the 2021 season to manage his mental health in the wake of a badly broken finger.

Much of Stokes' rehabilitation work ahead of his comeback was done at the Riverside, where he made his County Championship debut against Essex in 2010. He has since gone on to play 64 first-class matches for the club, scoring 3611 runs, with a best of 185 against Lancashire.

More recently, however, his demands as an England player across formats have limited his availability to Durham. He has so far played 72 Tests, scoring 4650 runs at 36.61 and taking 163 wickets, as well as 101 ODIs and 34 T20Is.

"I am delighted to commit to a further three years with Durham," Stokes said. "I have had some fantastic memories playing for the club over the years and I look forward to experiencing more of this in the future."

Durham's Director of Cricket, Marcus North added: "Ben is one of the finest players in the world and while we may not see him as much as we would like, his influence around the club remains huge.

"It's fantastic to see Ben back fit and well following his time away from the game and now back playing for England in the Ashes. We are extremely happy that Ben has agreed his future to Durham for a further three years."