Ben Stokes: England add all-rounder to Ashes squad after recovery from finger operation

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Stokes decided to take a break in July from cricket to heal his finger and prioritize his mental health.

Ben Stokes, an all-rounder, has been added to England's squad for the 2021-22 Ashes Test series.

After a second operation to repair a broken finger, the consultant and England and Wales Cricket Board gave the go ahead to the 30-year-old.

Stokes said, "I took a break to prioritize my mental well-being and I was able to get my finger straight."

"I look forward to seeing my friends and playing on the field with them." "I'm ready to go to Australia."

Stokes pulled out of England's five-Test series against India, August to rest his index finger that he broke in April while playing for Rajasthan Royals at the Indian Premier League.

After being dropped from England's T20 World Cup squad in the following match, he was back to full health after a second operation on his finger. This involved removing two screws and scar tissue.

On 4 November, the Durham all-rounder and Test specialists will travel to Australia with the Supplemental Lions group.

Stokes was on compassionate leave from August to October 2020. He missed two Tests and wanted to be with Ged, his father, who died last December.

After being rested in Sri Lanka for two Tests in January, he returned to England for the series loss in India and missed the home series against New Zealand in May because of a broken finger.

After leading England to a series victory against Pakistan, he was captain of the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred's opening two games before the ECB declared his "indefinite stop from all cricket".

Stokes has played in 71 Tests, 101 one-day-internationals and 34 Twenty20s for England

Ashley Giles, England's managing director, said that Stokes would "move forward cautiously" after his absence from the sport.

Giles said that Ben called him to tell me that he was ready to play a significant role in the Ashes series after a successful operation on his finger.

"Ben has shown time and again how important he can be to the England team. Having him available for Ashes series is great news for us all, and in particular Chris [Silverwood], Joe (Root], and the rest of our players.

"He has not played in a while so we will be cautious over the next few week to make sure he is ready for all aspects of his game.

"Ahead of a busy period of cricket, our team continues to be mindful of the stress on our players, and our primary focus remains the well-being of all our support staff and players."

England's top run-scorer was Stokes in the 2019 series, scoring 441 runs at an average 55.12 and an unbeaten century, which helped to secure a memorable win at Headingley.

The series of five Test Ashes will begin on 8/12/12 and finish on 18/01/18.

England team for Ashes tour to Australia

Joe Root (Yorkshire), captain, James Anderson(Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow [Yorkshire], Dom Bess (“Yorkshire”) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns ("Surrey") Rory Burns ("Surrey") Rory Burns ("Surrey") Rory Burns "Surrey") Rory Burns" Rory Burns (Surrey), Rory Burns) Rory Burns (Surrey), Ollie (Sussex), Ollie Robinson (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes” (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (“Durham”), Chris Woakes („Durham”)

Ashes 2021-22 schedule

December

8-12 1st Test, Brisbane (00:00 GMT)

16-20 2nd Test Adelaide (d/n), (04:00 GMT).

26-30 3rd Test, Melbourne (23:30 GMT, 25-29 Dec)

January

5-9 Fourth Test, Sydney (23:30 GMT 4-8 Jan).

14-18 5th Test Perth (02:30 GMT).