Ben Stokes starred on day two of the County Championship match between Derbyshire and Durham at the Our Coop County Ground. The former England captain scored 53 with 11 fours and took 2-14 before leaving the field with a lower left side issue, though he returned before close.

Durham were bowled out for 283, with Ben Aitchison taking 5-70 for Derbyshire. Half-centuries from Alex Lees and Graham Clark helped secure the total. Derbyshire collapsed to 127-6, trailing by 156 runs, with Matthew Potts and Will Rhodes each taking two wickets.

Stokes broke the opening stand with two crucial wickets, removing Harry Came and Caleb Jewell. Despite his injury concern, he remained a key figure as Durham maintained their strong position. Aitchison became the first Derbyshire bowler in 61 years to take five wickets in four consecutive first-class matches.

The hosts' openers Harry Came and Caleb Jewell faced intense pressure from Durham's pace attack, with Stokes' intervention proving decisive. Durham continued to demonstrate their promotion credentials with a commanding performance.