In what can be called a major boost for England's team, ace all-rounder Ben Stokes stated that he’s ready to play cricket again.
The southpaw was given the all-clear to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger and has been added to the England squad for the Ashes 2021-22.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said that all-rounder Ben Stokes' return to the England squad for the Ashes 2021-22 will send shivers down local spines in Australia.
Stokes took an indefinite break from the game of cricket with immediate effect to concentrate on his mental health and also to recover from the finger injury.
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Writing in his column for Daily Telegraph, Micheal Vaughan said that Ben Stokes returning for the Ashes is huge. He wrote the without him he would’ve not given England a chance to win but with him being back, there’s hope for the Joe Root-led side.
He lauded Ben Stokes as the engine of the England team as along with his own contribution he lifts the performances of other players as well.
“Ben Stokes’s return for the Ashes is huge. Without him, I would not have given England a chance in Australia; with him, they have a glimmer of hope - and maybe a bit more than that. Stokes is the engine of this England team, the guy who powers them. Not only does he contribute massively himself, but he also lifts the performances of those around him, inspiring, cajoling, and driving up standards,” Michael Vaughan wrote.
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Michael Vaughan said that the Ben Stokes will bring the fear factor along with him as the innings he played against Australia at Headingley two years back might still be haunting the Tim Paine-led side.
“Crucially, he is also a player Australia fear. The scars he inflicted on them at Headingley two years ago will not have fully healed, and the sight of him walking out at Brisbane - or wherever he manages to play his first Test - will send a few shivers up local spines,” he said.
Ashes 2021-2022 will kick start on 8th December at the Gabba followed by the second Test match at Adelaide, Oval on 16th December. The third and fourth Test match will be played on 26th December and 5th January at MCG and SCG respectively. The fifth and final Test match of the Ashes will take place on 14th January at Optus Perth Stadium.
(Reuters inputs)
