Stokes: I will rise for the Ashes

BEN STOKES promised England he will be fit for the Ashes after being ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a torn muscle in his right shoulder.

- By Mike Walters

In a huge setback on the eve of the final Rothesay Test against India at The Oval, Stokes was forced to sit out the finale of a gruelling Tynd series after scans revealed a grade three tear - the most severe category.

The England captain, left, was initially hopeful of leading the side today, insisting at the weekend that "the likelihood of me not playing at The Oval weekend that "the likelihood of me not playing at The Oval is very unlikely".