Ben Stokes On Course For Ashes But County Coach Fears He May Not Play Whole Series

Durham’s caput coach, Ryan Campbell, says nan England captain, Ben Stokes, will beryllium fresh for nan Ashes successful Australia later this twelvemonth aft returning to training pursuing a enarthrosis wounded but formed uncertainty connected whether he could lead nan squad successful each 5 Tests.

The 34-year-old sustained nan problem during nan tie against India astatine Old Trafford successful July, causing him to miss nan 5th and last Test astatine The Oval. He had been expected to beryllium retired for astir six aliases 7 weeks.

He has now returned to batting successful nan nets pinch his region broadside and pinch nan first Ashes Test opening successful Perth connected 21 November, Campbell was assured nan all-rounder would beryllium available.

“Stokes is backmost successful training,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Over nan past week, he’s started to deed balls and had a really bully session. Scott Borthwick was throwing to him pinch [the coach] Will Gidman for astir 2 hours.

“The batting broadside of things is going very good but nan bowling will return a batch longer. He is being treated very steadily.”

Campbell predicted it would return an ever-present Stokes successful Australia if England were to beryllium victorious successful nan Ashes series. However, nan erstwhile Australia wicketkeeper had reservations complete whether fittingness issues would let it.

“The feline is truthful bully because he makes your batting lineup heavy and is simply a genuine unit arsenic a 3rd aliases 4th seamer,” he said. “He is going to vessel truthful galore overs and tin get you wickets.

“The measurement he goes astir his activity to retrieve conscionable blows maine away. It’s why he is 1 of nan top all-rounders that’s ever been and it’s why he will beryllium fresh for Australia. He will time off nary stones unturned, but tin he play 5 Tests successful a statement pinch nan workload he has? He will try, but I americium not 100 per cent sure.”

Campbell besides confirmed nan accelerated bowler Mark Wood was adjacent to making his Durham return aft having room connected a knee injury. He added: “If that happens, it’s not only awesome for Durham but besides for England. He is highly adjacent to playing.”