Vaughan advocates Stokes recall

Cricket365
June 25, 2014

Ex-captain Michael Vaughan has insisted England recall all-rounder Ben Stokes ahead of a tough Test series against India.

Stokes was sidelined for the recently-concluded two-match affair against Sri Lanka, who won one-nil late on day five at Headingley in Leeds, due to a hand injury.

The New Zealand-born cricketer, however, has enjoyed a fruitful comeback to first-class cricket this month.

This week, in fact, brought 10 wickets and a couple of handy contributions in the middle order for Durham's crucial County Championship fixture against Sussex at Chester-le-Street.

"England have to bring in Stokes, potentially for Chris Jordan. It is a shame he might have to make way but Stokes has to come in and you would never go into a Test at Trent Bridge without James Anderson and Stuart Broad. They take wickets for fun at that ground. But Peter Moores has to grab the senior players and tell them to lead this team," Vaughan wrote in the <i>Telegraph</i>.

Questions over wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior's position in the first-choice XI, meanwhile, remain. Prior endured an Achilles heel injury earlier this season, but was returned to the team regardless. Limited-overs talent Jos Buttler and the burgeoning Jonny Bairstow are possible successors.

"I am not advocating big changes right now. Matt is back and I would not drop him after two Tests, although being bounced out twice by Sri Lanka is very worrying given that Australia and Mitchell Johnson will be here next year," concluded Vaughan.

England and India's first Test will start at Trent Bridge on 9 July. Lord's, the Rose Bowl, Old Trafford and The Oval will host Tests two, three, four and five respectively. Five ODIs and a one-off Twenty20 International will follow.