Ben Stokes Set for Franchise Cricket After England Retirement? Durham Coach Drops Big Hint About His Next Chapter

Former England captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes could soon be making a return to franchise cricket after stepping away from international cricket, according to Durham head coach Ryan Campbell.

Stokes recently returned to county cricket with Durham and made an immediate impact by smashing an unbeaten century against Derbyshire in the One-Day Cup, helping his side secure a convincing victory.

Following the impressive comeback, Campbell hinted that the veteran all-rounder is already looking ahead to the next phase of his playing career.

Durham Plans to Use Stokes Across Formats

Speaking about Stokes’ availability, Campbell said Durham intends to make full use of the experienced cricketer in both the One-Day Cup and the County Championship, while carefully managing his workload.“He is now a retired Test superstar who has reported back for duty for Durham. We’ll involve him in the One-Day Cup and as many of the remaining County Championship matches as possible. We’ll monitor his workload, but he’s tough. At this stage, he’ll play every game we can,” Campbell told the BBC.

The Durham coach also confirmed that the county plans to discuss a long-term contract with Stokes for future seasons.

Franchise Cricket Beckons in 2027

While Durham remains a priority, Campbell believes Stokes is interested in returning to the global franchise circuit.

According to the coach, the former England skipper is expected to explore opportunities in a few overseas T20 leagues beginning in 2027.“We’ll have to sit down and work out a contract for him, something we haven’t done before. From listening to him, there will be a couple of franchise worlds that he’ll want to put his toes into. Along with Durham, I think it’s an exciting future for him,” Campbell added.

The comments have fuelled speculation that Stokes could once again become one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket.

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Injury Setbacks Limited His Franchise Career

Although Ben Stokes has been one of world cricket’s biggest stars, injuries have significantly reduced his appearances in franchise tournaments over the past few years.

His last outing in The Hundred came in 2024, when he represented the Northern Superchargers, now known as Sunrisers Leeds. However, a hamstring injury restricted him to just three matches.

His most recent appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) came a year earlier with the Chennai Super Kings, where he featured in only two games before suffering a knee injury.

A New Phase Begins

Stokes’ successful return to county cricket has reignited discussions about what lies ahead for one of England’s greatest all-rounders.

With Durham eager to retain his services and franchise opportunities expected to open up after his international retirement, the coming seasons could see the veteran balance county commitments with appearances in leading T20 leagues around the world.

After announcing his international retirement, Ben Stokes appears ready to embrace a new chapter—one that could bring him back onto the global franchise stage while continuing to inspire Durham with his experience and match-winning ability.