Stokes’ presence and group stage drama add to One-Day Cup’s quiet resurgence

From the publisher

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup has been a bit of a sleeper hit this summer. Words such as “devalued” and “second tier” have followed the tournament since the dawn of the Hundred in 2021 but there has been a quiet resurgence of late. The prolonged dry spell has provided certainty and pleasant conditions but the big one has been the Hundred’s tractor beam slightly easing. Essentially, the full availability of England players – plus one extra overseas spot per franchise – has lessened the strain on county 50-over squads and upped their quality a touch. And though he is just one man, Ben Stokes’s presence in Durham’s ranks has also…

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