Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg feels England skipper Ben Stokes has to be fully fit for his team to win in the upcoming Ashes. Hogg reckons Stokes adds a lot of bowling depth to the England team and his fitness will be crucial in the team’s success.

Stokes has been troubled by a knee injury and he could not take part in the majority of Indian Premier League 2023 while playing for Chennai Super Kings. In fact, Stokes also didn’t bowl in the recent one-off Test match against Ireland, which England won by 10 wickets.

Stokes can bowl long spells for England but he might manage his workload with guile in the upcoming Ashes due to his recent injury. The all-rounder has scalped 194 wickets in 92 Test matches at an average of 32.11 and he is on the cusp of completing 200 scalps.

“For England to win, Ben Stokes has to be fully fit to add to that bowling depth. He is aggressive, fast and bowls that short-pitched ball at the body that troubles most of the Australian batters. He will be crucial with his fitness,” said Hogg on his Instagram account.

On the other hand, Brendon McCullum has done a brilliant job for England since he has taken the coaching baton. Under the umbrella of former New Zealand skipper, England has won 11 and lost two Test matches. Furthermore, they have adopted ‘Bazball’, which has reaped rewards for them.

“McCullum has got his team operating like a well-oiled machine. England have been the best Test team over the past 12 months and there’s no doubt about that. He has got the perfect lithium batteries to charge his troops,” Hogg added.

England will look to come up with a collective effort and there is no doubt that Ben Stokes will hold the key with both bat and ball in the Ashes. The first Ashes Test will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from June 16 onwards.