England have received a massive boost ahead of the Ashes as Ben Stokes has been added to the squad that will tour Australia next month.

The 30-year-old, who lost his father last December, took an indefinite break from cricket in July to work on his mental wellbeing.

However, the ECB announced on their official website that the flamboyant all-rounder "has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger."

“I had a break to prioritise my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted", said Stokes.

I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia.

Stokes, who played a key role in England winning the World Cup in 2019, has been a key player for them in Test cricket, scoring 4,631 runs while picking up 163 wickets.

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He was England's player of the series in the previous edition of the Ashes with his 135 at Headingley being considered as one of the best knocks in the format's history.

Stokes is a major miss for England in the ongoing World T20, but his addition to the Ashes squad is a major boost for Joe Root and the side.

The world champions will be eager to regain the urn and doing that in Australia would be something quite special.

The last time England won the Ashes Down Under was in 2011, when they won 3-1 under the captaincy of Sir Andrew Strauss.

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Despite Australia hosting the series, Root's side have a good chance of winning it given the team they have right now. Add Stokes to that side and it's a force to be wary of.

We can only hope that the 30-year-old is at his best, fitness-wise and most importantly, mentally.