Stokes is the heartbeat of England: Ashley Giles

When The Ashes were lost in emphatic style in Australia just 19 months ago, England’s most influential cricketer Ben Stokes was playing provincial cricket in rural New Zealand after a disciplinary ban was slapped on him.

Former England cricketer and team director Ashley Giles has called Ben Stokes the 'heartbeat of this team' after the all-rounder was reinstated as vice-captain for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

Like Ian Botham in 1981 and Andrew Flintofff in 2005, Stokes is the sort of all round cricketer who could ignite an Ashes contest to a level of greatness.

July 2019