Ben Stokes has been called up for England’s one-day international series against India as the all-rounder returns to the squad following a hamstring injury.
The 27-year-old has not played an ODI since March but is hoping to prove his fitness and will play for Durham Jets in their Vitality Blast 20-over match with Yorkshire Vikings on July 5.
Stokes will look to seize his chance playing for Durham, with the England and Wales Cricket Board confirming he could be drafted in for the third and final T20 international meeting with India ahead of the ODI series.
He missed the recent 5-0 whitewash against Australia after injuring his hamstring ahead of a Test against Pakistan in June but will be keen to work his way back into a winning side.
Fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes has not been included in the initial 14-man squad but may still feature later in the three-match series if he recovers from knee and leg injuries in time.
Surrey’s Tom Curran was the other injury doubt having suffered a side-strain against Australia but he makes the squad – with brother Sam missing the cut along with Sam Billings of Kent.
The series gets under way on July 12 at Trent Bridge, with Lord’s and Headingley hosting the second and third matches, respectively.
A five-Test series will follow but focus will be on the short forms in the coming weeks with the likes of Stokes and Woakes potentially making their comebacks.
