Ashes 2017/18: England Can’t Win Without Ben Stokes – Ian Chappell

Sep 30, 2017 at 1:39 PM

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Ashes 2017/18: England Can’t Win Without Ben Stokes – Ian Chappell

With Ben Stokes’ Ashes participation in jeopardy following the brawl outside a pub in Bristol, former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes England ‘haven’t got a hope in hell’ of retaining the urn if the all-rounder gets axed from the team.

Stokes got included in the 16-man squad for the five-Test series Down Under starting from November 23, but his participation is under dark clouds now after he along with Alex Hales was suspended by England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday (September 28). The cricket board, through in its press release, stated both the players would not get considered for selection for England international matches until further notice after a video footage emerged, showing Stokes throwing punches at two men.

“They can’t win without him (Stokes) for a number of reasons,” Chappell told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph on Thursday. “Obviously his ability is the main thing, but also, he’s a match-winning player, and those sort of players drag the rest along with them and make them better.”

“He’s probably one of those players inspired by playing against the better teams and again that has an effect to the fellas that don’t have that sort of confidence. I don’t think they’ve got a hope in hell without him,” he added.

If England decides to axe Stokes for the iconic series, there is no denying that Steven Smith & Co. would be more than happy but former Australia skipper Alan Border feels Stokes’s absence will take the shine off the series.

“He is one of those cricketers you would go to watch play,” Border said. “He’s just got something about him, the aggressive nature of his cricket is exciting, and it would be a real blow if he doesn’t come.”

Stokes has transformed himself into one of the best if not the best all-rounder in the world right now. The left-handed batsman, who had scored a memorable century in the 2013 Ashes Down Under, has so far scored 2,429 runs and picked up 95 wickets.

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