VAUGHAN TELLS BEN TO PACE HIMSELF

ASHES-WINNING captain Michael Vaughan believes Ben Stokes’ fitness holds the key to England's bid to win back the urn Down Under.

- BY TOM HARLE

Stokes missed the fifth Test against India at The Oval last summer after sustaining a shoulder injury at Old Trafford, having sent down 129 overs in the previous seven innings.

The mammoth slog included 24 overs in the fourth innings of the third Test, eight more than any other bowler, as Stokes took ‘leading from the front’ arguably too literally.

Now Vaughan, who famously lifted the urn in 2005, has concerns that if Stokes does not manage himself better, England could be in trouble in Australia.

“He holds the key,’ said Vaughan. “I've said it many times, with Ben Stokes, England can beat anybody. When Ben Stokes isn't there, England can lose to anybody.

“He's that important. Clearly, he needs to be the all-rounder. Ben was England's best bowler this summer. He bowled incredibly. He has that ability to make the ball talk.