England all-rounder Ben Stokes has raised hopes of a surprise Ashes return, posting a video to social media of his first net session in months.
Stokes recently underwent a second surgery on his broken finger, having taken an indefinite break from the game nearly three months ago to deal with his mental health.
The 30-year-old originally suffered the finger injury while playing in the Indian Premier League in April.
He wasn’t named in England’s 17-man Ashes squad, but coach Chris Silverwood said earlier this week that the door remains open for the star all-rounder.
“Great to be back hitting balls,” Stokes wrote on Instagram, while posting three short clips of him having throwdowns.
“It’s hugely positive and hugely exciting,” said England performance director Mo Bobat.
“Certainly it looks like the extra medical stuff that has happened and the removal of scar tissue and everything else he had done has freed up his finger and it’s given him that feeling confidence again back into his fingers.
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“Ultimately given what he’s experienced and where he’s been, it’s important that he and we move at the right pace for him. There’s certainly no pressure or expectation from us.
“It’s a case of us supporting Ben physically and however else we need to support but support him so that he can continue to progress at the rate that he would like to and he feels comfortable.”
Stokes proved the difference in the 2-2 series draw in England in 2019, including a remarkable innings of 135 not out at Headingley which saw the home side steal a famous victory.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor told Wide World of Sports earlier this week that had Stokes not been in the England team, Australia would likely have won the series 3-0 or 4-0.
At the announcement of England’s squad earlier this week, Silverwood said the door remained open for Stokes to make a return.
“Ben is moving forward, the communications I have had with him he is definitely more upbeat,” he explained.
“But what I will say is there will be no pressure from me for him to rush back. I’ve said, ‘When you’re ready, you call me and we’ll make a plan from there’. So there’s no pressure from me and no date on it.
“I’m not going to tell him when he comes back. I’ll be led by him and my concern first and foremost is his wellbeing. And when he does come back we’ll make sure he’s in the right place.”
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