Star All Rounder Ben Stokes Added To England's Squad For Ashes Tour

England cricket star Ben Stokes has declared his availability for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. 

The all-rounder will add a competitive balance to the summer tour, he has averaged 45 with the bat and a controlled bowling economy average to sit second in the ICC's allrounder rankings despite a lengthy absence.

After recovering from a finger injury and taking time away from the game to focus on his mental wellbeing, Stokes is a welcomed inclusion according to English captain Joe Root.

"One of the greats as a cricketer and an even better bloke. Welcome back my friend." Root said in a tweet.

Having not won a series in Australia for 10 years, England were largely considered outsiders to return home with the elusive urn prior to the Stokes news.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says the addition of one of the sport's premier players will add a level of excitement to the series.

“And now the theatre begins,” Haddin said on Fox Cricket on Monday night. “This is what you want, you want the best players playing in the Ashes series.

“The one thing Ben Stokes does, not just with his presence on the field with bat and ball, but he makes guys around him better players. That’s what I’m excited about. This England team now will grow a leg.”

In just his second test, Stokes notched a century in Perth in 2013 which kickstarted his international dominance.