Ben Stokes is part of the advance party that has arrived in Australia to begin preparations for the high-profile Ashes series, completing three days of hard quarantine at a Gold Coast resort before beginning some light practice at the nearby Metricon Stadium. England Test skipper Joe Root felt Ben Stokes is “on track” to make his England comeback in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, as per Sky Sports. The star all-rounder was not named in the original squad having taken an indefinite break from the game to focus on his mental health and recovery from a badly fractured index finger, but ended his hiatus in time to join the first flight to Australia.
💬It’s managing that excitement and making sure we don’t push him too hard so he’s ready, as best as he can be, for that first game.💬#England captain @Root66 is optimistic about the prospects of Ben Stokes being ready for the first #Ashes Test in Brisbane🙌#AUSvENG
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 12, 2021