Adam Gilchrist compares under-fire Ben Stokes to Shane Warne

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist was all praise for one of the under-fire players in the rival camp. Gilchrist has hailed star English all-rounder Ben Stokes cricketing ability and has placed him at par with none other than the legendary Shane Warne. The leggie, who is one of the greatest cricketers the game has witnessed had his share of off-field troubles.

Gilchrist also said that Stokes does the job of three players. The all-rounder’s availability for the Ashes down-under next month received a major blow after it was announced that Stokes will not travel with the team to Australia. Fast bowler Steven Finn was earlier named as his replacement for the prestigious bilateral series between the two sides.

Gilly rates Stokes highly

“Andrew Strauss is cricket director at the ECB. I know for sure, knowing him, that he’d be reluctant to send Ben Stokes (to play in the Ashes) but I think they know how valuable he is to this team. He’s three players. Without doubt (he’s their best player), when you look at everything,” Gilchrist said on the Back Page Live on Saturday.

“Shane Warne was the best cricketer I ever played with or against because he was the best bowler (and) his batting was very, very handy. He was the best slip fielder, so that’s three players — and Stokes is very much in that category. His high score is 250 odd with the bat, six for forty odd are his best bowling figures and he’s a great fielder.”

Stokes and England batsman Alex Hales were suspended by the ECB following the brawl outside a Bristol nightclub. Stokes’ exclusion will be a blow to the Joe Root-led England side, which will look to defend the urn against a strong Australian attack, boosted by the comeback of the spearhead Mitchell Starc.