A last minute screw up job could have well been the end of Ben Stokes’ Ashes dream, had the common sense not prevailed in the English cricketing fraternity. After all-rounder was arrested by the cops for a late-night brawl in a pub, the selectors didn’t axe the star all-rounder from the highly anticipated squad that was to be named for the Ashes. Instead, Stokes was stripped of the Test vice-captaincy.
In a series as high profile as the Ashes, players like Ben Stokes can determine the fate of their respective sides. For a series that revolves mainly around the psychological aspect of the individuals, you need to have hardened and seasoned campaigners, like Stokes in the scheme of things.
Praising Stokes from the opposing camp, was Australia’s out of favour left-arm spinner Steven O Keefe. The New South Wales veteran heaped praises on Stokes and called him as the best Test all-rounder at present.
“Stokes is the best allrounder in the world, and he had a successful summer when he came out last time,” said O Keefe. “I think he was one of the standout players against the Aussies and got that hundred at the WACA and I think he’s probably in the best form of his career.”
“So an England side without Ben Stokes is not a better side.”It’s very early to speculate, and I’m sure in the upcoming weeks it’ll all come out in the wash,” O Keefe further added, praising the all-rounder.