Ben Stokes’ return to England colours in time for the Ashes has been greeted with joy in England.
The talismanic all-rounder has been added to the squad having declared himself fit after a lengthy break to focus on his mental wellbeing and fully recover from a finger injury.
Club cricketers’ Whatsapp groups buzzed with the news, and senior figures were equally thrilled.
Test skipper Joe Root was delighted.
The Yorkshireman tweeted: “One of the greats as a cricketer and an even better bloke. Welcome back my friend.”
News of Stokes return was a major talking point among England’s Twenty20 World Cup squad in Dubai on Monday.
“I know the lads have been talking about it here and it’s really nice to see Ben coming back to cricket,” Liam Livingstone said.
“To have Ben around a group is great.
“I’ve played a lot of cricket with Ben over the last couple of years and just to have him around an environment is a massive boost for any team, especially going into a massive series like the Ashes, it’ll be great for the lads to have Ben around.”
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, writing in his Daily Telegraph column, said Stokes’ return was ‘huge’.
Vaughan, who as captain won the Ashes in England in 2005, said: “Without Stokes, 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, he lifts the performances of those around him, inspiring, cajoling and driving up standards.
“Crucially, he is also a player that Australia fear. 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.”
Vaughan said he still made Australia favourites but added: “Stokes has unfinished business with the Aussies. He hasn’t managed an away victory in Australia. That will be on the cricketing bucket list.”
Another former captain, Nasser Hussain, said: “It’s great news for England. Ben is virtually irreplaceable in any format.
“He is the type of cricketer you need in Australia, someone to look them in the face and take them on. You think of Sir Ian Botham. You think of Kevin Pietersen. Australia like to go after players that back down – Stokes definitely won’t do that.”
There was even approval from a former Australia player.
Jason Gillespie tweeted: “Ben Stokes coming to Australia is fantastic for the “Ashes”.
“Players always want to challenge themselves against the best and Ben is part of the best England team. Test cricket is just awesome!”
n his Mirror newspaper column Stokes said he was ‘buzzing’ for the Ashes and added: “I know I can focus again on playing my best cricket Down Under this winter,.
“I probably didn’t realise just how much of an issue the finger was causing me until I got it sorted the second time around.”
Stokes said that he was also struggling with bubble fatigue, adding he was in a “dark place” with difficult thoughts.
He said talking to his wife, England captain Joe Root and professionals had helped him.
“I was always one of those people who wouldn’t talk about how they’re feeling and just keep it internal and crack on,” he said. “I now realise talking is such a powerful thing and it has completely changed me.”
Stokes returned to the nets less than a fortnight ago, but said late last week he was back batting pain-free.
He will land in Australia next Thursday with the England Lions and Test specialists ahead of the series opener on December 8, after initially being unavailable for England’s original squad.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Good news, rubbish bloke but great to watch on a cricket field.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
I’m sure that you’ve heard the phrase that form is temporary and class is permanent. Anyway, you’ve clearly got your eyepatch on. If Travis Head is the hill you wish to die on, go ahead and be my guest.
Paul
Roar Guru
Stokes is first and foremost a number 5 batsman, who hasn't picked up a bat in anger for months. Right now, Head is an inform batsman whereas Stokes form is completely unknown. Potentially Stokes is a better bat, though even that's questionable when things like averages are compared, but if both guys had to play a Test tomorrow, my money would be on Head make more runs than Stokes.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't disagree but king hitting a guy is never a good thing, but especially when it's caught on tape. I'm sure Root and he are real good mates but I'm not sure I want a mate who does things like that.
Paul
Roar Guru
I completely agree DTM. A straight comparison of Woakes & Stokes numbers show Stokes has the better batting average but Waokes has a better bowling average but the numbers overall are not a lot different. Much is made about Stokes as a match winner, but IMO, Woakes has done as much for England wins as Stokes. I think if someone went back through the matches he's played, he's either made a score or picked up some crucial wickets that have led to an England win - but he's done so quietly.
Frank delosa
Guest
Apologies to Marty et. al. I stand corrected. I got Burns confused with Stoneman. My mistake. However, given that Burns is like a limpet on a rock (much like Renshaw and Rogers of days of yore) I think he will hang around longer than Warner each dig. Hameed to score 2 x 100 in the series. Warner to score apricot none. Do any of you think the upcoming Shield games will have ANY bearing on test selections? Methinks the XI is settled and all Aus needs to do is tank the T20 torunament, come home and prepare. The T20 will come back to haunt them.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Anyone that puts Broad ahead of Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood on Australian soil is off their rocker.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well, who else fulfills the 666 role? Broad/Anderson?...yawn; 333 at best for this tour. With no Archer, give us something to throw darts back at the old dart. Rory Burns? Jack Leach? Joe cleanskin Root?
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
To be fair Marty, I’d argue that he’s fulfilled that potential, both in the Ashes and his career in general, it’s just that he hasn’t been to Australia to play Test cricket for 8 years. Anyway, not long now til we get to see.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Haha Jeff, sorry, he’s the Antichrist. :silly:
Marty
Roar Rookie
Indeed, so it will be interesting to see whether he can fulfil that potential… but he hasn’t yet and that’s the great thing about sport in general and Ashes cricket in particular.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Hey PIE. Don't try and down play my pantomime villain view of Stokes...
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Agreed.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Completely on board with that PIE. Anybody claiming that the Australian team didn't think that it just got tougher is kidding. But fear is ridiculous. Would you get even English teams used to repeated hammerings from the Taylor/Waugh teams conceding they feared Warne or Mcgrath or Ponting? Never. Even when there were English players clearly not at all comfortable facing MJ in 2013/14 nobody spoke of fear. It just doesn't happen. It's ridiculous hyperbole
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Erm, well he hasn’t played to be fair so…
Marty
Roar Rookie
Not in Australia he hasn’t…
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Fear may be pushing it, but the Aussie players don’t have to have particularly long memories to remember him destroying their bowling attack on his way to one of the sweetest victories. They’d certainly have the utmost respect for his ability one would think.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Well he was 22 at the time, funnily enough he’s improved since then. :shocked:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Just calling it as I see him ozinsa. "Even better bloke". Barf moment. I mean, sure England, be happy he is back to reinforce the cricket talent, but when they (the Captain) start spouting rubbish as to Stoke's "special" place in the pantheon of great human beings...please, I will push back.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Harsh Jeff. That said, his reaction to the fan in SA who called him (how cruel) Ed Sheeran speaks of a not-good bloke at all.