England all-rounder Ben Stokes has declared himself "fit and hungry for a big series" ahead of the first Ashes Test against Australia.
Joe Root's side get their campaign started on December 8 in Brisbane and will be boosted by the return of their star all-rounder Stokes.
The 30-year-old has not played competitively since July and was initially omitted from England's squad as he recovered from a second operation on a broken finger and took a break to protect his mental wellbeing.
But Stokes was subsequently added to the travelling party in October as he assured he was ready to make a comeback for the tour and first Test at The Gabba.
Stokes, who averages 38.37 against Australia, offered England a scare when he took a blow to the forearm in a net session last week before Root confirmed the Durham man was fit.
With just a week to go before the two old foes do battle once more, Stokes is relishing the opportunity to take on Justin Langer's side.
"Don't call it a comeback," Stokes posted on Instagram alongside a video of him training with bat and ball on Wednesday.
"Spent some time testing out the finger with [Adidas] last month.
"Two months ago, I couldn't hold a bat. With one week to go till the first Test, I'm fit and hungry for a big series Down Under!"
Jofra Archer not guaranteed Ashes place – McCullum
Jofra Archer is not guaranteed to be selected for the Ashes, England head coach Brendon McCullum has said.
The 29-year-old has been part of England's white-ball set-up since May, but has not played Test cricket since February 2021 due to injury issues.
Archer was signed by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL auction on Sunday, meaning he will play even less red-ball cricket ahead of next year's Ashes.
England have attempted to carefully manage the bowler's workload and McCullum cannot say for certain if he will be part of the five-match series.
"He is all-in for playing for England and getting back to red-ball cricket but at the same time there are significant opportunities for him," McCullum said ahead of his side's series in New Zealand.
"We have to be fluid. He has to continue to feel right in his own body, sustain a decent workload and put his hand up from there. There is no guarantee [he will be selected for Test cricket].
"We have unearthed some incredible talent in the last 12 months. The stocks are looking pretty good."
England had requested Archer sit out next year's IPL in order to concentrate on his red-ball return with Sussex.
However, after being left off the initial auction shortlist, Archer was added to it 48 hours later and was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals.
Archer is therefore now set to miss the early part of the County Championship season with Sussex due to an overlap in competitions.
McCullum added: "If he gets fit and ready and that is the skillset we are after, he puts himself in the frame."
Anderson fails to earn IPL deal for 2025
England's all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson went unsigned during the second day of the Indian Premier League auction for 2025.
Anderson, who retired from Test cricket in July, opted to enter the IPL auction despite his last T20 international appearance coming more than 15 years ago.
The 42-year-old, who has never previously played in the IPL but declared 'something in me thinks I can still play' upon entering the auction, had a price tag of £115,000.
However, no team opted to take a punt on the veteran bowler on the second and final day of the auction on Monday.
Anderson could still be signed as an injury replacement or to take the place of any player forced to leave the competition due to international commitments, though his lack of match practice makes that prospect unlikely.
The other big story of the auction saw 13-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi signed by Rajasthan Royals for £105,000, having earned international attention with a 58-ball century for India Under-19s versus Australia last month.
While Anderson was snubbed, several other England players were picked up. Sam Curran was re-signed by Chennai Super Kings one year after becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, with the team also swooping for Jamie Overton.
Will Jacks joined Mumbai Indians, while Moeen Ali was picked up by defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders after going unsold on day one.
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett, as well as Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner, failed to land deals, after India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the record buy on Sunday, costing Lucknow Super Giants £2.54million.
Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively
Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the Gujarat Giants on Monday’s second day of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rutherford, who entered the auction with a base price of US$182,000, was the subject of an intense bidding war between the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.
The Indians started the bidding at US$243,000 before the Titans countered with a bid of US$268,000.
Mumbai responded with a bid of US$292,000 before the Titans returned with a winning bid of US$317,000.
Rutherford has previously made 10 appearances in the IPL, seven for the Delhi capitals in 2019 and three for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022, scoring 106 runs in nine innings at an average of 15.14.
He has also previously been part of the Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Other West Indians selected on day two include Romario Shepherd who was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$182,000 and West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell who went to the Kolkata Knight Riders for the same price.
The Lucknow Super Giants exercised their right to match the Mumbai Indians bid of US$91,000 for pacer Shamar Joseph.
Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Akeal Hosein, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase all went unsold.
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