STOKES IS THE KEY TO ASHES

Broad: Keeping our captain fit is vital for glory in Australia

- EXCLUSIVE by Simon Mullock

STUART BROAD has warned that England won’t win the Ashes if Ben Stokes misses any of the five Tests against Australia this winter.

‘Stokes paid the price for putting himself through the pain barrier against India when a torn muscle kept him out at The Oval last week — and the tourists made the most of his absence to win a thrilling contest to level the series.

Broad, who knows better than anyone how far Stokes is prepared to go for his country, having shared a dressing room with him for 12 years, believes it’s vital that the England captain limits his bowling when he takes his team Down Under.

He reckons the Ashes will depend on it.

Broad, now making great strides as a broadcaster after a glittering Test career that realised 604 wickets and 3,662 runs, said: “I don’t think England can win the Ashes without their captain.

“England need Ben for all five Tests. If that happens, I think they can win.