Root must get England believing for Ashes

Cricket Joe Root may have to “con” England into believing they win the Ashes without talisman Ben Stokes, according to Michael Vaughan.

Former England captain Vaughan insists Australia will be overwhelming favourites to win the Ashes should the tourists be shorn of all-rounder Stokes for the opening Test.

Stokes could miss the first clash, starting on November 23, owing to the fall-out from his arrest in September for actual bodily harm that left him with a broken finger.

And Vaughan believes current captain Root must find a way to galvanise his side if Stokes misses out.

“His greatest challenge is going to be to convince the team they can win,” said Vaughan, of England captain Root. “It may be that he has to lie a bit and con them.

“He might have to blow up a few tyres that might be flat and convince them they are good enough to beat this Australian team.

“I don’t think it is right to go there and talk down the Aussies. I’ve been around captains that do that and it doesn’t work.

“It is worth saying they are good. They are not what they were 20 years ago, but they are dangerous and you know what they will produce over five matches.

“You know they will have a bit of magic in them and can Joe convince his players to play a style of cricket over a period to win?

“He has to make sure they are consistently playing at a level to take the game into days four and five. I don’t see them blowing Australia away in three days.”

Vaughan admits fearing the tourists will lose confidence in Stokes’ absence.

“I am sure Australia respect a lot of our players but the one they fear the most is not going to be there,” said Vaughan, speaking as a BT Sport pundit.

“It is not disrespecting Alastair Cook, but I’d say Stokes is England’s second best player with the bat.

“With the ball, he is erratic at times, but he has an impact. In the field, you know he will produce something.”