England all-rounder Ben Stokes is unlikely to feature in this winter’s Ashes series, Glenn McGrath and David Lloyd have said.
Stokes has remained at home while England build-up to Thursday’s opening Test match in Brisbane as he awaits to discover whether he will be charged after being arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol in September.
The 26-year-old has become a hugely influential character for England but Australia legend McGrath and former England coach Lloyd cannot see him travelling Down Under to take part in the series.
‘My gut feeling is we won’t,’ legendary seam bowler McGrath told the Daily Mail when asked whether Stokes would be involved. ‘What he did didn’t look good.
‘His absence is a massive blow for England because he’s two players in one. If he does come then Stuart Broad won’t cop it – there will be a new enemy!’
Bumble added: ‘No. He has more important issues to deal with. And even if he is free to go, I think England will ban him for a few Tests.’
Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain, however, believes Stokes could still play a part in the series, providing he is cleared by the police who are expected to make a decision this week.
Ashes schedule - the key dates
First Test: November 23-27 (Brisbane)
Second Test: December 2-6 (Adelaide)
Third Test: December 14-18 (Perth)
Fourth Test: December 25-29 (Melbourne)
Fifth Test: January 3-7 (Sydney)
‘We want what’s best for the England team but we also want what’s best for the game,’ Hussain said.
‘If Ben is cleared by the police and the ECB disciplinary commission then he should go but, if he does make it, England will have to be ready for a circus off the field.’
There have been fears that Australia’s formidable pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will blow England’s unproven top order away but Lloyd says the tourists bat deep with the likes of Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes coming in at No 7 & 8.
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