Bostock’s words were reflected in comments by others around Durham.
Stokes had been “just like Stokesy” in recent days, one source told BBC Sport.
Durham has been his county home throughout his career.
He has regained fitness from previous injuries by running around the athletics track behind the Finchale End, and by completing shuttles runs on the outfield.
In the warm-ups before day one against Northamptonshire, he was throwing balls to former Durham captain Scott Borthwick, who was best man at Stokes’ wedding.
The media interest in Stokes was clear. Various TV camera crews and photographers were pointing their lenses lenses towards the all-rounder before play.
On the field, all seemed familiar.
Stokes bowled better than his figures – 0-53 across his first three spells – suggest.
He had a catch dropped in his first over by Ben McKinney standing at leg slip and any idea Stokes may had lost a spark since the nightclub incident was not in evidence here.
At the end of his sixth over, his backside almost touched the pitch as he squatted in appealing for lbw.
When former umpire James Tredwell – the former off-spinner who played 20 times with Stokes for England – turned down the decision he slapped the pitch in frustration.
In the field, Stokes was often stood with his arms folded at mid-off under his blue cap – as he so often has been for England. He also appeared to give occasional tactical advice to Durham team-mates – spinner Callum Parkinson, in particular.
In Cardiff, meanwhile, Atkinson had figures of 2-33 when bad light stopped play in the evening session.
If Stokes and Atkinson are picked to play in Nottingham they may have to be withdrawn from the latter part of the county fixtures, given the Test begins on Thursday.
