‘I’m expecting him to come’ – Nathan Lyon optimistic about Ben Stokes playing the Ashes

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is optimistic about star England all-rounder Ben Stokes coming to Australia for the Ashes, which is set to get underway on December 8. Stokes has been out of action owing to his break from all forms of cricket. Following his finger injury in the IPL, Stokes returned to cricket and led England in the ODI series against Pakistan.

However, soon after he decided to take an indefinite break from cricket citing mental health issues due to stern bubble life. Stokes’ finger was also causing a lot of problems. He recently underwent second surgery which seems to have done a world of good to him. Recently, Stokes took to Twitter to reveal that he is feeling much better now, raising hopes of an international return.

While ECB has said that they will not force Stokes to come out of his break, Lyon feels the southpaw may have a change of mind and board the flight to Australia for the series. “I’m expecting him to come,” Lyon said of Stokes on Thursday to Independent. “I hope he is. You want to play against the best players in the world.

Lyon further added that having Stokes in the team will bolster the England side owing to his match-winning abilities. “Stokesy is the best all-rounder in the world. He’s an x-factor, a game-changer, and you want to play against these sort of players.”

Stokes was England’s hero in the last Ashes tour. He single-handedly won the match for England in Headingly. With nine wickets down and victory a fair way away, Stokes stitched a 76 run stand with Jack Leach to help England pull off a remarkable win.