Nathan Lyon: 'We expect Ben Stokes to play in the Ashes'

Nathan Lyon, the Australia spin bowler, expects Ben Stokes to play some part in the upcoming Ashes series Down Under, as speculation continues over the England all-rounder's participation.

Stokes has taken an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health while also recovering from a second operation on a broken finger, and was not included in coach Chris Silverwood's squad for the Ashes.

But the 30-year-old last week posted an Instagram video of his return to the nets, raising speculation that he could still feature in the five-Test series which is due to begin in Brisbane on December 8.

"I'm expecting him to come," Lyon said of Stokes on Thursday. "I hope he is. You want to play against the best players in the world.

"Stokesy is the best all-rounder in the world. He's an X-factor, a game changer, and you want to play against these sort of players."

England fast bowler Mark Wood said last week that England players have not talked about Stokes making a potential comeback for the Ashes tour.

Mo Bobat, England's performance director, however, last week suggested Stokes had made huge steps forward on his road to recovery, though added the ECB would be placing 'no pressure' on the England all-rounder to return to action against old adversaries Australia before he is 100 per cent ready.

"It's hugely positive and hugely exciting. Certainly it looks like the extra medical stuff that has happened and the removal of scar tissue and everything else he had done has freed up his finger and it's given him that feeling of confidence again back into his fingers.

"Ultimately given what he's experienced and where he's been, it's important that he and we move at the right pace for him. There's certainly no pressure or expectation from us."