Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has been handed a central contract with England for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old made his international debut in 2011 during a T20 match against West Indies, before making his test match bow last December in Australia. Stokes scored a magnificent century in only his second test appearance and recently featured twice in the Investec series against India.
Stokes has since been in superb form for his county, smashing a career-best 164 in the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final against Nottinghamshire Outlaws to help Durham reach a Lord's final. As a result, the left-hander is one of twelve players to be handed a contract by the ECB.
The 23-year-old made his international debut in 2011 during a T20 match against West Indies, before making his test match bow last December in Australia. Stokes scored a magnificent century in only his second test appearance and recently featured twice in the Investec series against India.
Stokes has since been in superb form for his county, smashing a career-best 164 in the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final against Nottinghamshire Outlaws to help Durham reach a Lord's final. As a result, the left-hander is one of twelve players to be handed a contract by the ECB.