Ashes 2021/22: Ben Stokes Is A Player That Australia Fear: Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the England team will be much boosted after star all-rounder Ben Stokes addition to the Ashes squad.

On Monday, England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Ashley Giles confirmed that Stokes would travel with the England squad to Australia in November.

After having a successful operation on his left index finger, which he injured during IPL 2021 in April, Stokes is set to return for practice and will play against Australia in the Ashes.

Ben Stokes is the engine of this England team: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan said that without Stokes, this England team had no chance of winning the urn Down Under.

“Ben Stokes’ return for the Ashes is huge – you simply cannot underestimate it. 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, he futher mentioned,” Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

Ben Stokes also has unfinished business with the Aussies: Michael Vaughan

Stokes had an incredible memory against Australia at the Headingley in Leeds.

He smashed an unbeaten 135 in the fourth innings that helped England pull off a victory from what they could have lost by a huge margin.

England were 286/9 and were 72 runs away from their win; Stokes went berserk and took Australian bowlers, including the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, to cleaners.

His spectacular knock helped England win the game by 1 run and became the difference in the series.

Vaughan said Stokes’ knock will be still in the minds of the Australians, and the main challenge for the England all-rounder will be to win a Test Down Under.

“Crucially, he is also a player that 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,” Vaughan wrote.

“Stokes also has unfinished business with the Aussies. This is a guy who has won pretty much all you can in the international game – a World Cup with England, a home Ashes – but he hasn’t managed an away victory in Australia,” he added.

Ashes will start on December 8, the first Test to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Also Read: The Ashes 2021-22: The Return Of Ben Stokes Is A Great News For England – Nasser Hussain