Net session for Durham County's Ben Stokes as he steps up return to cricket

Durham County cricketer Ben Stokes revealed he has returned to the nets for the first time since taking an indefinite break from the game.

The England all-rounder, who grew up in Cockermouth, was absent from the summer's marquee Test series against India and will also miss the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup to focus on his mental wellbeing.

In addition, he has been troubled by a finger injury in recent months. After suffering a fracture to his left index finger at the Indian Premier League in April, necessitating surgery, Stokes was still struggling with lingering discomfort in the area when he aborted a tentative comeback in July.

He had a second operation earlier this month to remove two screws and scar tissue and is said to be in better spirits, posting a picture of himself on Instagram on Monday gripping a bat properly for the first time in six months.

And he went a step further by taking part in what looked like a gentle net session on Thursday, uploading three Instagram videos where he was receiving some throwdowns from England physiotherapist Craig De Weymarn.

Stokes said:

Stokes' update is likely to fuel speculation he will feature in The Ashes after all, having been considered unavailable when the 17-man squad to tour Australia was named earlier this month.

England have stressed repeatedly they will not pressure Stokes into a return, with head coach Chris Silverwood and captain Joe Root taking a hands-off approach to the situation, and Mo Bobat echoed those sentiments on Thursday.

"It's hugely positive and hugely exciting," said the England and Wales Cricket Board's performance director.

"Certainly it looks like the extra medical stuff that has happened and the removal of scar tissue and everything else he had done has freed up his finger and it's given him that feeling confidence again back into his fingers.