The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced that Ben Stokes has been added to England‘s Ashes squad to travel to Australia this winter.
Stokes has been undertaking an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental wellbeing and to heal a broken finger that he suffered whilst playing in the Indian Premier League in April.
He did not play a part in England’s Test series against India, nor in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
However, Stokes posted several photos and videos on Instagram last week showing him batting and bowling in the nets – fuelling hope amongst fans that he may be able to return for the Ashes.
That is indeed what has happened, with the all-rounder added to the 15-man squad to travel Down Under.
The ECB said in a statement: “Stokes, who has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger, will depart with the Test specialists and the Lions on 4 November.”
“The 30-year-old is ready to return to competitive cricket following his break from the game at the end of July to prioritise his mental wellbeing.”
Stokes said: “I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted. I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.”
What does Stokes’s addition mean for England?
Stokes’s return to the England set up will come as a massive boost as the team prepares to attempt to regain the Ashes in Australia.
As a middle order batter and potent right arm seamer, Stokes has been a huge miss this summer not only with those qualities in mind, but also when it comes to balancing the side.
He has been an indispensable member of the team when fit and available, and is a proven match winner with both bat and ball.
Since he made his Test debut in Australia in 2013, Stokes averages 37.04 with the bat in the longest format. He has scored 24 fifties and 10 hundreds, with a top score of 258.
With the ball, he has taken 163 Test wickets at an average of 31.38. Stokes has four five-wicket hauls and best innings bowling figures of 6/22.
The first Test of the 2021/22 Ashes series commences in Brisbane on December 8.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
