Stokes in 'beast mode' for Ashes

BEN Duckett is in awe at England captain Ben Stokes going into "beast mode" to be ready for the start of the Ashes.

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Stokes has been sidelined since late July as a shoulder injury curtailed his summer but he is expected to be fit to lead England in their first Test against Australia, starting on November 21 in Perth.

It is also anticipated he will be able to fulfil his brief as an all-rounder, having appeared back to his best with the ball over the summer with 20 wickets in five Tests at an average of 24.05.

His preparations after arriving into Perth with his England teammates have astonished Duckett, who is in no doubt Stokes is crucial to their hopes of regaining the urn for the first time since 2015.

"I can only say we've been out here for a few days and he's been in beast mode," Duckett told the Willow Talk podcast.