England 's star all-rounder Ben Stokes has shared photos on social media of him hugging his two children, Layton and Libby, ahead of his trip to Australia for the Ashes.
The members of England's Test squad who are not part of their T20 World Cup campaign are flying down under today (November 4) to begin their preparation for the series.
And Stokes, who was recently added to the squad after returning from a mental health break, is part of the travelling party alongside the likes of Joe Root, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
In a post on Instagram, Stokes shared a photo of his two children and his wife Clare that was taken as he left the family home to travel to Australia.
In the caption, Stokes included four hearts and wrote: "I’m off… love you fam a lam"
Clare also shared three images of Stokes hugging his children with the caption: "Hate saying goodbye! But so proud and smiling through the tears!"
The 30-year-old is looking forward to getting back on the field, having not played a game of cricket since July.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes said: I'm just excited to get out there. I cannot wait to see everyone, and I've just really enjoyed my training the last couple of weeks, so it's good.
"One player doesn't make a team, and although I know I'm a senior member of that team over the last few years, every member of that team is just as important as each other.
"We have got a huge amount of experience in our squad, although we've got some young guys who are still learning their way in Test cricket.
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"We've got the likes of Jimmy [Anderson], [Stuart] Broady who have obviously been there, done that. [Joe] Rooty - fantastic leader and England's greatest-ever batter, so we've got everything to come back at Australia with what they've got.
"You are playing at the highest level possible and the Ashes - for an Englishman in Australia, that is the pinnacle of Test cricket.
"It is the only series that is almost like a World Cup, because they are such rivals."
