England Test captain Ben Stokes said it was a “fantastic opportunity” and urged his players to claim an international call-up to the County Championship.
Stokes is set to miss the first month of the County Championship season against Durham as he continues to recover from facial surgery.
England suffered a 4-1 defeat to Australia in the winter Ashes, but Stokes, 34, continues to insist there is “no question” he has the talent to earn a place in the Test XI.
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Despite the Ashes defeat, Ben Stokes says he is determined to remain England captain.
England’s first Test series of the summer will be against New Zealand, with the first match being played at Lord’s from 4 June, followed by a three-Test contest against Pakistan from 19 August.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of people across the country,” Stokes said.
“Obviously at the same time we had the Lions in Australia, look at some of the players who are coming through that system now.
“There’s no doubt about the talent we have in England. The squad, the talent we have, is probably the best we’ve ever had.”
“I think the first six or seven weeks of Championship cricket are going to be huge. People should use that as an opportunity to advance their case as far as they can and I hope that when we come together and do that, they give themselves the best chance of getting selected.”
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When will Stokes return?
Stokes hit the ball into the net at Chester-le-Street in February.
Stokes suffered a fractured cheekbone, as well as severe cuts and bruises, after the ball hit the net at Chester-le-Street in February.
He thought the surgery had been a success, but his hopes of playing in Durham’s Division Two opener at home to Kent on Good Friday were dashed.
Durham manager Ryan Campbell said the team was waiting for a specialist to clear Stokes, who is also expected to miss games against Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Middlesex.
The all-rounder could then return for games against Worcestershire and Kent in May, ahead of England’s first Test against New Zealand.
Stokes has opted out of The Hundred and will represent his county in the One-Day Cup this summer.
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Jos Buttler backs Stokes to lead England to No. 1 in Test cricket despite poor performance in the Ashes
He has not played in the 50-over format since the 2023 World Cup in India and has not featured in the Durham tournament since 2014.
Stokes averaged just 18.40 with the bat for The Ashes this winter, but suffered a groin injury in the final Test and has not played since.
He was retained as captain after a disastrous tour of Australia, while coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key also remained in their roles.
Stokes said in an Instagram post that the result and its aftermath had led to “the most difficult period of my journey as captain”.
Watch England’s home summer international summer matches live on Sky Sports, starting with the three-Test series against New Zealand from 4 June. Don’t watch Sky? Stream cricket without a contract now.
