How Australia’s cricketers can tame Ashes warrior Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is arguably England’s most intimidating cricketer, but the Aussies will be looking to exploit a potential weakness this summer.

Ben Stokes is arguably the most intimidating figure in England’s Ashes squad, but Australia will be looking to exploit a potential weakness in the all-rounder’s arsenal over the coming six weeks.

Two months ago, it was assumed that Stokes would be unavailable for this summer’s Ashes tour – the 30-year-old did not feature in England’s original 17-player touring party as he continued to recover from a finger injury sustained during the first leg of the Indian Premier League.

But after spending some time away from cricket to focus on his mental wellbeing, Stokes reinvigorated the Ashes by making an eleventh-hour decision to partake in the sport’s marquee series.

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The England squad looks more equipped to battle for the coveted urn with Stokes among their ranks – not only does he strengthen the side’s top-order, but he provides a more than handy fifth bowling option for captain Joe Root.

The mental edge Stokes provides is also immeasurable – his unforgettable heroics of 2019 cemented his place in Ashes folklore, and as much as Australia’s bowlers will deny it, lingering memories of Headingley will haunt them whenever he’s at the crease.

Amidst the chaos at Leeds on that fateful Sunday, it’s sometimes forgotten that off-spinner Nathan Lyon did in fact produce the wicket-taking delivery that should have ended Stokes’ onslaught.

With two runs required for a miraculous victory, Lyon trapped the left-hander of the front pad, but umpire Joel Wilson was not convinced enough by Australia’s frantic appeals to raise the finger. Hawkeye replays suggested the Duke ball would have crashed into leg stump.

Nathan Lyon has enjoyed some thrilling battles with Ben Stokes in the past. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Lyon has dismissed Stokes on six occasions in Test cricket – only Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has achieved the feat more often.

Four bowlers have claimed Stokes’ wicket at least five times in the game’s longest format, and three of them are off-spinners.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Stokes averages 30.7 against right-handed finger spin bowlers in Test cricket, marginally lower than his overall career batting average of 37.04.

“The battle with Stokes, who hasn‘t played cricket for a long time, it’s a battle I think Nathan will win more often than not,” former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar said, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It does pose for an entertaining duel. In every series, there are certain players that you just stop what you‘re doing, I’ve got to see this play out. I think this will be one of those battles.”

Stokes currently averages 52.3 against Lyon’s bowling in Test cricket, but those numbers are heavily skewed by dropped catches and Tim Paine’s inconsistency with the DRS.

Most times dismissing Ben Stokes in Test cricket

11 – Ravichandran Ashwin

6 – Nathan Lyon

5 – Kemar Roach

5 – Dilruwan Perera

Only Ravichandran Ashwin has dismissed Ben Stokes more often in Test cricket. Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images

Lyon famously terrorised left-handed batter Moeen Ali during England’s more recent Ashes tour, and the Aussie tweaker will be eager to replicate that with Stokes this summer.

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant got the wood over Lyon during last season’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy, repeatedly charging down the pitch and attacking the off-spinner to great effect. It forced Paine to remove close catchers as Lyon desperately altered his line and length to no avail.

But if newly-appointed Australian captain Pat Cummins allows Lyon to persist with his stock ball – his most effective weapon to left-handed batters – expect more enthralling battles between Stokes and the GOAT this summer.

“For years I‘ve watched Nathan Lyon and he’s very impressive,” England spinner Jack Leach told reporters on Wednesday.

“Just how strong his stock ball is and on wickets that don‘t necessarily offer a lot spin-wise, he’s found ways to extract extra bounce, dip and all the other things.

“They‘re the kind of things that I’ve been trying to add in but still sticking to my strengths as well.”

The first Test between Australia and England gets underway on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11am AEDT.