LONDON: England’s Ashes chances are being bowled a bouncer by the uncertainty surrounding Ben Stokes’ availability — that’s the view of former captain Andrew Strauss.
The England all-rounder did not travel to Australia with the rest of the team having been arrested after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub. Stokes has not been charged but remains under police investigation, and Strauss, who led England to Ashes victory Down Under in 2010/11, admitted the saga was hurting the side.
“Ben has been and is developing into a world-class cricketer. The fact he’s not out there at the moment is a blow to the England team,” Strauss, the current director of England cricket, told the BBC.
“The situation, in a word, is complicated.
“There’s two different potential disciplinary procedures he has to go through, one is the ECB’s internal one and the other is any potential police action.
“Until we know more from the police, it’s very hard for us to put a timeline on anything.
”What we all want is clarity on what that situation is and how much cricket he will be missing for England,” the 40-year-old said. ”We’re keen to get into that and move this forward but we’re in the hands of the police.”
Until the incident Stoke was considered one of England’s most potent weapons and one of the reasons why some fancied the side to retain the urn they won 3-2 in 2015. He has developed into the world’s best all-rounder — able to score a century in little over a session and grab a flurry of wickets at crucial times. Not only that but Stokes’ presence balances the side, being able to bat at No. 6 and be a genuine frontline bowler.
While England are the current Ashes holders they have traveled to Australia with the memory of their last visit still very much fresh in the memory.
A Mitchell Johnson-inspired Australia shocked Alastair Cook’s team 5-0, a defeat that led to some deep soul-searching within the side as well as the end of some England careers, Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann the most prominent departures.
Strauss, however, said that defeat would motivate Joe Root’s men ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on Nov. 23.
“I was involved in a 5-0 drubbing in 2006 and I used that as a very strong base for retribution,” Strauss added.
“I’m sure the guys who were there last time and suffered the chastening defeat at the hands of Mitchell Johnson will want to put that right.”
While England were fretting over the Stokes saga, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc sent an ominous warning to to the tourists, claiming a hat-trick for New South Wales against Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield match.
Starc, who will lead the Baggy Greens’ attack, wrapped up the Western Australia first innings with three yorkers, bowling Jason Behrendorff and Simon Mackln and trapping David Moody leg before wicket to finish with figures of four for 56.
The left-armer has taken 14 wickets at an average of 12.5 in three first-class innings this season.