Australian batter Steve Smith is glad that Ben Stokes is making the trip down under for the upcoming Ashes series.
Stokes, who is considered one of the best players in world cricket, has been battling a fractured finger and was taking time away from cricket to focus on his mental health in recent months.
Announcing that he would join the squad less than two weeks before the team departs with an, ‘I’m ready for Australia’, message, Stokes has breathed fire into a series that was already highly-anticipated for many reasons.
While his inclusion no doubt makes the England XI stronger in all facets, Smith was glad to hear of the news as he’d rather come up against “quality performers” on the world stage.
“I think it (Stokes’ inclusion) is great,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Drive with Joel and Fletch.
“Obviously, he took a step back and was struggling with a few things mentally.
“Credit to him for being able to step away from the game and ensure he gets that right.
“I think it’s great that he’s on the plane, you want to be coming up against quality performers and ‘Stokesy’ is certainly that.
“We only have to look back to Headingley a few years ago, that knock was simply outstanding.
“It’s great to see him on the plane, yeah, I’m glad he’s going okay.”
In the last Ashes series in 2019, Stokes made two hundreds, averaged 55.12 with the bat and took eight wickets with the ball.
His individual effort was only bettered by Smith himself, who made an astonishing 774 runs from seven innings’ at an average of 110.57.
Listen to the full chat with Smith here.