Stokes extends Durham contract by a year

Durham, England County Division One team, have confirmed that star England all-rounder Ben Stokes has agreed to extend his contract by another year, keeping him at the Emirates Riverside ground (Chester-le-Street) for the 2017-18 season.

The premier all-rounder made his debut for Durham in 2009 before catapulting to the world stage in 2011, making his One Day International debut against Ireland. Having always been seen as a player for the future, Stokes played his first Test in Adelaide during England's horrendous Ashes tour Down Under in 2013-14, where they were handed a 5-0 defeat.

Stokes, however, came out of the series with enhanced credentials, after having made his first Test ton in Perth and followed it up with his maiden five-wicket haul at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Since then, barring injury, the all-rounder has been an integral part of England's plans across all the three formats of the game.

"Ben (Stokes) is one of the finest players in world cricket and were delighted he has chosen to carry on his county career with Durham, said David Harker, Durham County Cricket Club chief executive. He is approaching the prime years of his career and while we may not see him as much as we would like over the next year, his influence remains huge around the club."

Ben is a shining example of what our young players can achieve with hard work and dedication to go alongside talent.

Although Stokes wouldn't be available for major part of Durham's domestic schedule, he has showcased his talent during his limited appearances for the county - with his most recent effort being a fine knock of 56 in a losing cause during the NatWest Twenty20 Blast semi-final game against Yorkshire Viking