England duo unbeaten as Ben Stokes waits for return in rain-hit tour opener

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Ben Stokes
File photo dated 13-07-2021 of England's Ben Stokes. The England and Wales Cricket Board has issued a new batch of 20 central contracts, with Ben Stokes retained in the midst of his ongoing hiatus and Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson and Dawid Malan all earning first-time deals. Issue date: Friday October 8, 2021.

Ben Stokes’ return to action has been delayed after the opening day of England’s warm-up match against England Lions in Brisbane was cut short due to rain.

Stokes has been included in England’s Ashes squad after taking an indefinite break from all cricket in July to prioritise his mental well-being and rest a finger, which he had fractured.

England openers Haseeb Hameed (53 not out) and Rory Burns (39 not out) had taken England to 98 without loss before play was halted early in the second session in Wellington Point.

Durham all-rounder Stokes, set to bat at number five, made his last England appearance in a one-day international against Pakistan in July.

England’s Ashes squad members who were involved in the T20 World Cup have not been included in the warm-up match and will stay in quarantine for one more week.

The first Ashes Test at the Gabba starts on December 8 and the fifth and final Test is scheduled for Perth’s Optus Stadium on January 14.

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