England batsman Kevin Pietersen is of the opinion that his national side is expected to face an uphill task if they wrestle in the traditional Ashes series against Australia without the services of premium all-rounder Ben Stokes.
The 37-year-old Natal-born Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for the Three Lions scored at an average of 47.28, has further termed it as the ‘massive’ problem for the visitors – to defend the Urn they won under the leadership of Alastair Cook way back in 2015.
“If he doesn’t go, England have massive, massive problems,” Pietersen was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
The veteran batsman Pietersen has further lavished praise on the promising prospect Stokes while stated the latter is best in business, which does bring equally his best while fielding after knowing his role well both the bat and a ball as well.
“He’s a three-part player. He’s a bowler, he’s a batter and he catches at first slip off the spinner. He’s a wonderful fielder as well,” Pietersen added.
The 26-year-old Durham-based Stokes, who is at the centre of a criminal investigation which is thoroughly being conducted by the Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol over savage street-fight on September 25 that further left Ryan Hale severely injured in the wee-hour fracas.
Earlier, Stokes was inducted in England’s 17-member squad, before the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the prominent figure wouldn’t take any part in the upcoming Magellan Ashes while facing the charges. Fast bowler Steven Finn is roped in as a cover.
The batting all-rounder could only be given a green signal for the Magellan Ashes if he would be freed from the charge levelled against him.
“Stokes, [Jonny] Bairstow, [Moeen] Ali – they do so much of the hard yards, especially when they’re batting because of how weak the top order is,” Pietersen asserted.
(Read Also: Ashes 2017/18: Absence of Ben Stokes Won’t Distract England: James Anderson)
However, Stokes is reportedly expected to play a part in the much-anticipated series scheduled from November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.
The importance of Stokes in Joe Root-led side is pretty clear and evident the way he has batted and bowled in the recent fixtures for his national side.
“He just galvanises that team and gives them a lot of energy. Because the top order is so weak, you need Stokes in that set-up,” Pietersen remarked.
Stokes had held behind bars for several hours soon after the third One-day international win against Jason Holder-led Windies in Bristol when Stokes was thrashing the reportedly former solider of the United Kingdom near one of the Pubs.
The top-order right-handed batsman Pietersen scored 8,181 runs in 181 Test innings smashed 23 hundreds and 35 fifties while donning the white jersey. He has also featured in 136 One-day internationals and 37 Twenty20 internationals after making international debut in 2004 against Zimbabwe.