Australia spin bowler Nathan Lyon expects Ben Stokes to play some part in the upcoming Ashes series Down Under, as speculation continues over the England all-rounder’s participation.
Stokes has taken an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health while also recovering from a second operation on a broken finger, and was not included in coach Chris Silverwood’s squad for the Ashes.
But the 30-year-old last week posted an Instagram video of his return to the nets, raising speculation that he could still feature in the five-test series which is due to begin in Brisbane on 8 December.
“I’m expecting him to come,” Lyon said of Stokes on Thursday. “I hope he is. You want to play against the best players in the world.
“Stokesy is the best all-rounder in the world. He’s an X-factor, a game changer, and you want to play against these sort of players.”
England fast bowler Mark Wood said last week that England players have not talked about Stokes making a potential comeback for the Ashes tour.
Australia retained the Ashes when the teams last met in 2019 in England after a 2-2 series draw.
