Stokes’ bowling crucial to England’s Ashes hopes – Sir Ian Botham

Sir Ian Botham believes Ben Stokes’ bowling could be key to England’s chances of winning the Ashes in Australia.

Botham says he never doubted Stokes’ participation after the Durham all-rounder took an indefinite break from cricket in July to rest his finger and prioritise his mental wellbeing.

“First and foremost, I never thought he wouldn’t be there,” Both am said .“And that’ s not inside information, because we didn’t see him at Durham until after the second operation.

“Ben is a match-winner. I hope that he’s fit enough to bowl and strong enough because I think that will be crucial.Because he’ s an aggressive bowler.

“Everyone talks about his batting – we know about that – but I think his bowling needs to be used in four or five-over bursts on those Australian pitches when the ball is reasonably new as well.”

Botham has urged England’s selectors “to be brave” when considering their bowling attack and does not think James Anderson or Stuart Broad will feature in every Test.

“There’ s no point in us turning up with four 80- mile-an hour bowlers because once that Kookaburra ball, after 10 overs, is going to get smashed to all parts at that pace ,” the former England all-rounder said.

“You need people like Mark Wood, Ben Stokes, (Ollie) Robinson – these are the guys that are going to play. Jimmy (Anderson) is going to play, but I don’t see him playing all the Tests, and I certainly don’t see Broady playing all the Tests.”

Botham added: “You’ve got to look after Jimmy, he’s what, 39 now, so he needs a little bit of TLC, but he will have a part to play.

“Above everything else, he’s a senior pro and he can offer so much advice to the other guys, so it’s essential he’s there”

The first Test starts at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 8 and the fifth and final Test is scheduled for Perth’s Optus Stadium on January 14.

Meanwhile, Durham pace bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of England Lions’ tour of Australia due to a knee injury.

Carse, 26, tore the cartilage in his right knee during a practicematch and is set to fly home to see a specialist.

Carse was selected in a 14-strong Lions squad that is in camp alongside England’s Ashes squad. The Lions were scheduled to play two intrasquad matches, one three-day and one four-day, in Queenslandand will also face Australia A in a four-day match before returning home on December 16.