Ben Stokes catch vs Birmingham: Stokes grabs outstanding running catch to dismiss Ed Pollock on Durham return in T20 Blast

Ben Stokes catch: The English all-rounder celebrated his return to competitive cricket with an all-round contribution in a winning cause.

During a North Group match of the ongoing 19th season of T20 Blast between Durham and Birmingham Bears in Chester-le-Street, Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes contributed across divisions in a 22-run victory as Durham beat Birmingham for the first time at home.

Stokes, who had fractured his left index finger during his Indian Premier League 2021 stint for Rajasthan Royals, returned to the field for the first time after missing international fixtures across formats.

Playing for Durham in T20 Blast after three years, Stokes scored 29 (18) with the help of four fours and a six after coming in to bat at No. 3 in the first over of the match itself after captain Cameron Bancroft won the toss and chose to bat.

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In the second innings, Stokes registered economical bowling figures of 4-0-20-1 as he dismissed Bears’ Sam Hain (35) in the penultimate over of the match.

Having said that, the highlight of the match regarding Stokes had come in the fourth innings when Stokes back-pedaled from mid-off to complete an outside running catch to dismiss Bears’ Ed Pollock (19) off Brydon Carse.

Pick of the hosts’ bowlers, Carse’s bowling figures of 4-0-30-3 played a vital role in restricting the visitors to 163/8 in 20 overs in a 186-run chase. Bancroft, who had scored a match-winning 76* (53) in the first innings, was declared the Man of the Match at the Riverside Ground.

Ben Stokes catch vs Birmingham Bears

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