Champions Trophy: Nasser Hussain Stresses The Impact Of Ben Stokes’ Absence After England's Loss To Australia

February 23, 2025: Former England skipper Nasser Hussain pointed out the significant impact of missing veteran all-rounder Ben Stokes after England’s loss to Australia in their ICC Champions Trophy campaign opener. Despite putting up a formidable total of 351 runs, England couldn’t defend it, as Australia’s Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell led their team to a five-wicket victory in Lahore on Saturday.

Hussain emphasized that the absence of Stokes hurt England’s balance, making the team less “comfortable” in both batting and bowling departments. Stokes, known for his all-round abilities, would have provided much-needed stability to the team, with the ability to contribute in both facets of the game. England struggled to fill that void, as their reliance on part-time spinners like Joe Root and Liam Livingstone didn’t yield the desired results, with the duo conceding 1/73 in 11 overs.

England had to make a choice between playing an extra batter or including a bowling all-rounder like Gus Atkinson or Jamie Overton. However, both decisions meant compromising on one aspect—batting or bowling. Hussain noted that Stokes would have been the key to balancing these roles effectively.

Ben Stokes, who had returned to limited-overs cricket during the 2023 ICC World Cup after retiring from the format in 2022, has not played any List-A or ODI cricket in 2024, except for three T20 matches for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. His absence is clearly felt in the current England squad, as they lack the balance and depth that his all-round skills provide.