Stokes impresses with rapid 95 as England toil against New Zealand

Ben Stokes fell just five runs short of a century on his return to Durham after he was dropped by England, who are nearing defeat in their second Test against New Zealand. The England captain hammered 95 off 118 balls against Northants in the County Championship before eventually being dismissed immediately after the tea interval when he was bowled by Harry Conway.

Stokes, 35, was returning to action after he had been suspended by England for breaking a midnight curfew following a first Test win over New Zealand, along with team-mate Gus Atkinson.

Stokes' knock allowed Durham to recover from…