All-rounder Ben Stokes has been included in the England squad for the Ashes in Australia, after recovering from a broken finger.
The 30-year-old was given the green light to resume with his cricket after a second operation on a fractured finger.
Stokes was forced to withdraw from England’s squad for the five-Test series against India in August with an injury sustained while playing in the Indian Premier League in April.
He was left out of England’s T20 World Cup squad but has now recovered after a successful second operation on October 4.
Stokes, currently ranked the second best all-rounder by the ICC, will travel with the rest of the squad to Australia on November 4.
In addition to his injury problems, he took compassionate leave from August to October of last year to be with his father Ged, who died in December.
“I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted,” said Stokes.
“I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.”
England managing director Ashley Giles said Stokes will “move forward cautiously” following his time away from the sport.
The five-Test Ashes series is due to begin on December 8 and end on January 18.
(pic by Ben Sutherland under creative commons licence)
