Cook backs Ben Stokes to replicate Flintoff's feat in Ashes 2015

Can Stokes live up to expectations?

In the epic 2005 Ashes series, skipper Michael Vaughan had Freddie Flintoff up his sleeve. With 402 runs and 24 wickets, Flintoff turned from good to great in a span of five historic Test matches as he helped England reclaim the urn since 1986-87.

England has since lacked the potent weapon to decimate the opposition. They have struggled to find an apt replacement for Andrew Flintoff. But this time around, English skipper Alastair Cook believes that they have the right arsenal to a forceful impact. Ben Stokes is the unanimous choice to replicate Flintoff's feat. Stokes has looked assured every time he has walked out to bat and is the ideal candidate for the number 6 slot in the batting order.

His gritty century at WACA Perth during the 5-0 Ashes defeat in 2013-14 was one of the very few highlights of the disastrous tour. With centuries at Lords, Ben Stokes has seems to have done enough to gain Captain’s as well as audience’s attention. Stokes may not be as heavily built as Flintoff.

He may not look physically daunting but his test records speaks volumes about his all round talent. His hard hitting skills and lively pace bowling will be heavily relied upon by the English side. Strengthening Stoke's cause, Captain Cook was quoted saying in a news conference by Cricket Australia,

"He's been in fantastic form this summer.I believe he's coming into his own. He feels comfortable, and I think he's going to have a fantastic summer.I think over the last six months he's really matured as a cricketer, Being left out of the World Cup squad hurt him.We all know he's got the talent to be there, but he would say himself he wasn't quite performing as he should have done to earn selection.I think he understands international cricket a little bit better than he did when he first started.I think that's a natural thing, getting used to the environment. He loves the competitive side of it."

Stokes has drawn praise from the Flintoff too. The hero of 2005 Ashes seems to be mighty impressed with Ben Stokes. When asked to give his opinion on Stokes and man by man comparison of the teams, the veteran replied

“He is a fine player, he is a proper batsman and his bowling will improve. He has all the ingredients, he just needs confidence with the ball.I just look at the two sides, I would sooner be in the England side than the Australia side – in fact, I wouldn’t get in the England side; they have Ben Stokes now."

The Ashes have traditionally been a series laced with instances where individual players have elevated themselves to greater heights. Shining in an Ashes series is the dream of every English or Australian boy. We hope to see Ben Stokes rise to the fore and take center stage in Ashes 2015.