Ben Stokes becoming injured at the start of the 2010 season meant that Stokes continued playing in all forms of the game for Durham. Having had a very successful debut season in first-class cricket he was given a place in the England Performance Programme and travelled to Australia during the 2010–11 Ashes. On 2 January 2015, Stokes joined the Melbourne Renegades of Australia's Big Bash League for the remainder of the season as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, who was ruled out through injury. On 13 February 2017, Stokes was appointed vice-captain of England's test team, deputising under Joe Root, who was
Ben Stokes for the Test series against India. He was selected as an all rounder for the first Test at Trent Bridge, taking 2–81 in the first innings. He was out for a duck when batting as England took a first innings lead thanks to a record partnership from Joe Root and James Anderson. Stokes failed to pick up a wicket in the second innings as the match finished in a draw. He kept his place in the team for the next Test at Lords and took figures of 2–40 in the first innings. However, his poor form with the bat continued