England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been given the all-clear by the national side's medical team and has been added to the England squad for the Ashes series against Australia beginning on December 8.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has released a statement saying that Stokes, who recently underwent a second operation on a fractured thumb would depart for Australia with the Test specialists on November 4.
It was earlier rumoured that Stokes would miss the tour after his surgery and also considering he had announced an indefinite break from cricket at the end of July to focus on his mental health. He had hence missed the ongoing T20 World Cup.
"I’m ready for Australia."
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🇦🇺 #AUSvENG 🏴
“I had a break to prioritise my mental well-being and I got my finger sorted,” Stokes told the ECB website.
“I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.”
The team's managing director Ashley Gills said that Stokes had called to tell him that he was ready to return to cricket after conversations with the medical staff.
“Having not played for some time, we will move forward cautiously over the next few weeks to ensure he is fully prepared across all facets of his game,” said Gills.
Stokes had broken his left index finger in April while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the India leg of this year's two-part IPL. He underwent surgery after the incident and returned to action in the T20 Blast tournament and the Pakistan series.
But he required painkilling injections throughout the stint and went under the knife again earlier this month.
Having been already ruled out of the T20 World Cup, Stokes was deemed to be unable to make it back for the Ashes by Leeds-based consultant Doug Campbell.
But with the 30-year-old announcing his return now, it will provide a massive boost to the team. Stokes had missed the last Ashes series in 2019, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
