Ben Stokes in wickets again but batting still proving a problem
The TelegraphEngland captain Ben Stokes’s second match for Durham this season is following a similar pattern to the first, as he thrived with the ball but struggled with the bat. This is the second of four matches Stokes will play for Durham before the Test summer begins on July 10 and if he and the England management could chose one discipline for him to thrive in it would be bowling. Elsewhere in Division One Essex enjoyed a strong day at Canterbury, reaching stumps 287 for four, with the spiky young batsman Jordan Cox 51 not out against his former county, Kent. Worcestershire had played their first two home games this season at Kidderminster but a huge community effort had seen New Road prepared for play this week, but another overnight deluge washed out the opening day against Nottinghamshire.