Ben Stokes made his way back to Durham training on Saturday after a nightclub event led to his omission from England's second Test against New Zealand.

The captain along with pace bowler Gus Atkinson were ruled unavailable for the second Test at The Oval beginning Wednesday while an inquiry proceeds.

The pair violated the team curfew after the first Test victory over the Black Caps last Sunday. They were on site early Monday when a security staff member was struck by a Saracens rugby player.

Stokes aged 35 attended Chester-le-Street on Saturday for the second day of Durham's County Championship fixture against Derbyshire.

The all-rounder delivered some bowling in the middle before play and later faced deliveries in the nets with Durham batting coach Dale Benkenstein. County and England colleague Emilio Gay also took part in the session.

Although the ECB probe bars them from the second Test Stokes and Atkinson remain eligible for domestic matches.

As a result the duo may appear in the upcoming County Championship round starting Friday with Durham hosting Northants and Atkinson's Surrey traveling to Glamorgan.

The ECB confirmed last Monday that Stokes and Atkinson had breached team protocols by missing curfew and that an investigation would follow.

Early reports suggested Stokes might retire but those claims have faded and his return to training signals his career will continue.

England director of cricket Rob Key stated on Thursday that he saw no reason why Stokes would not play international cricket again.

Key gave no assurances however about Stokes regaining the captaincy he has held since 2022.

Key noted that numerous steps remain including completing the investigation to establish the facts before any choices are made.

All possibilities stay open for the ECB concerning Stokes and the captaincy until the probe concludes.

The ECB has not requested that he step down as captain and reports of unified senior intent to remove him from the role are inaccurate.

The investigation outcome is unlikely before the second Test starts so an update may be needed ahead of squad selection for the third Test at Trent Bridge.

England head coach Brendon McCullum is scheduled to address the media at The Oval on Monday.