Ashes 2021: Stokes 'fit and hungry' after return from break

Ben Stokes was a late addition to the squad, having taken a break from cricket to mentally refresh and undergo a second operation on his fractured left index finger.

Stokes was in the first group of England cricketers who arrived in Brisbane on November 6 ahead of the Ashes. (File Photo)

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has declared himself “fit and hungry” to start the Ashes series against Australia.

Stokes was a late addition to the squad, having taken a break from cricket to mentally refresh and undergo a second operation on his fractured left index finger.

England captain Joe Root has been intent on not rushing Stokes back into the team but the all-rounder looks to be ready to play in the first test, which starts in Brisbane on December 8.

“2 months ago, I couldn’t hold a bat,” Stokes wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “With 1 week to go till the first test, I’m fit and hungry for the big series down under.”

Stokes was in the first group of England cricketers who arrived in Brisbane on November 6 ahead of the Ashes.