Stokes cleared for T20 finals

England allrounder Ben Stokes will be available to play as a specialist batsman for Durham in their Twenty20 quarter-final at home to Sussex, the county said Thursday.

Stokes was initially ruled out of Friday's match at Durham's Chester-le-Street headquarters after suffering minor discomfort in his left knee during England's 203-run defeat by India in the third Test at Trent Bridge which concluded Wednesday.

Stokes was recalled by England at Trent Bridge just days after his acquittal on a charge of affray following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September last year and on Thursday he retained his place when the squad was announced for the fourth Test at Southampton starting on August 30.

Shortly after the Southampton squad was unveiled, Durham confirmed Stokes would be fit to face Sussex after all – but only in the roles of left-handed batsman and fielder rather than lively right-arm pace bowler.

"Ben Stokes has been made available by the England and Wales Cricket Board for (Friday's) quarter-final against Sussex Sharks," said a statement on Durham's website.

"The allrounder will add significant firepower as a batsman only as the Jets aim for a place at finals day.

"Stokes was initially ruled out of contention due to a left knee niggle but has been re-assessed – and the England medical team, in conjunction with Durham, have passed him fit to play as a specialist batsman."

Lancashire won the first quarter-final of England's domestic T20 competition on Thursday night, eliminating a Kent side featuring Marcus Stoinis.

Stoinis was caught at second slip off leg-spinner Matt Parkinson for a third-ball duck, one of three batsmen to fall without scoring.

Kent, with BBL targets Sam Billings (37) and Joe Denly (13), posted 9-133.

Parkinson's 3-27 saw him named player of the match while James Faulkner took 1-19 in three overs for Lancashire, but was not required to bat.

Despite Jos Buttler's first-ball duck, the Sydney Thunder's new signing was stumped by Billings off Denly's bowling, Lancashire reached the target with eight balls to spare as Test opener Keaton Jennings hit 46.

In the other quarter-finals, Worcester play Gloucester on Saturday, and Somerset against defending champions Nottinghamshire on Sunday.