Ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has been added to England squad for the blockbuster five-match Test series against Australia which starts from December 8. The England contingent will leave for Down Under on November 4 and will play two warm-up games against England Lions before the all-important series.
The 30-year-old was given the all-clear by his consultant and the England and Wales Cricket Board following a second operation on a fractured finger. In a statement released by England and Wales Cricket Board, Ben Stokes revealed that he is ready for the Australia challenge.
“I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted,” Stokes was quoted as saying by the ECB. “I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia,” he added.
"I’m ready for Australia."
🇦🇺 #AUSvENG 🏴
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 25, 2021
Ben Stokes excited to play a significant role in the Ashes – Ashley Giles
Former England cricketer and ECB managing director Ashley Giles confirmed that after a green signal from the medical staff and his management team, Ben Stokes has been added to the England squad.
“Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team, Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series,” said Ashley Giles, Managing Director of England men’s cricket.
🏏 🏏 🏏 pic.twitter.com/ToG82vrwTj
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 18, 2021
Updated Squad: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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