Ben Stokes Likely To Miss The Ashes In Australia: Reports

Superstar England all-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to pull out of the away Ashes series in Australia to tend to both his physical and mental health. According to a recent report in The Telegraph, Ben Stokes is a growing doubt to miss this winter’s Ashes series and may return only next year on the tour to West Indies.

The all-rounder pulled out of the home series against India to focus on his mental wellbeing while also recovering from an injured finger, which he had sustained during the IPL in April in India.

He then pulled out of the second half of the IPL and the following T20 World Cup. Now, an England team sans one of their greatest ever players is likely to take the field in the Ashes, starting December 8 in Brisbane.

Ben Stokes has not recovered from his finger injury yet

The Telegraph report further added that while Ben Stokes has made progress in his mental issues, his finger injury hasn’t healed completely yet.

He, though, had played and captained in the ODI series against Pakistan when he and an entirely new squad was called after a covid-19 outbreak in the England camp when they hosted Sri Lanka. The all-rounder led his side to a 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan before taking a rest again.

England, who managed just one Test match win in 6 Tests this home summer, will be massively depleted once again in Ben Stokes’ absence.

The ECB are still in talks with the CA who are in talks with their government regarding the quarantine rules about the English contingent coming in for the Ashes. Some of the high-profile players are reported to have told ECB that they will withdraw if their families are to be forced into hard quarantine.

The final decision on this matter is expected to be announced by the end of the month. The Ashes squad will be named in October. Some players may also declare themselves available for three of the five Tests.

Also Read: ECB To Make Decision On England’s Tour Of Pakistan In 48 Hours After New Zealand Pull Out