England cricket legend Michael Vaughan has admitted he's 'staggered' that Ben Stokes will be skippering the side during the upcoming Test series against India.
Stokes is one of the country's finest cricketers but, due to injury, has struggled for regular action in recent months.
The 34-year-old has played just one competitive match against December but will lead England when they face India in the first Test at Headingly on Friday.
Vaughan is a huge fan of Stokes but the England icon, speaking to the Daily Mail, is 'staggered' that he's playing given his issues so far in 2025.
Ben Stokes is currently preparing to play in England's Test series with India
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He said: "I've been staggered by the lack of time in the middle that Ben's had as a batter.
"He didn't have a great year last year when he got his injuries.
"A Scottie Scheffler or a footballer going into a major event would be playing. He's had no game time.
"Why wouldn't you want to play for England Lions just for a knock, not to bowl?
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"He was bowling against Zimbabwe, and clearly he's fine, but why wouldn't you just want a bit of time in the middle?
"Call me old school but I think it's quite nice to go out and hit a few balls."
Vaughan then added: "England can only win in Australia [in the Ashes next winter] with him, and that's him being the all-rounder.
"If he goes to Australia just as the batter, that completely breaks the balance of the team and as much as he's a genius captain, the team are 30-40 per cent better when he bowls.
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England cricket legend Michael Vaughan has admitted he's 'staggered' that Ben Stokes will be skippering the side during the upcoming Test series against India
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"To win in Australia, he has to be bowling and batting well."
This England side has talent in abudance.
They are yet to win a huge Test series in recent times, however, something that worries Vaughan - who has fired a warning to players as they prepare for action.
"Now it's about winning," he continued. "Look at 2019 when we won the World Cup.
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"Did England play the cricket that they'd been playing previously to win that final? Did they heck. They had to dig deep and play the old school horrible way, but they won.
"They are remembered as winners. I always revert back to the Newcastle football side of the 1990s - the Kevin Keegan era.
"Bloody great, we talk about them, but they didn't win. Make sure you're not that. Make sure that you're not the most entertaining England that's ever been, but not won an Ashes. Don't leave it until 2027.
"I just want to see that ruthless approach this summer and if you get on a winning run, win every game.
Ben Stokes will feature for England against India despite his injury woes
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"I look at all high-level sports teams and I don't see a relaxed environment. I see a high intensity, high performance environment, and that's sometimes tough, hard work. It's not always smiles and patting on the back.
"They're trying to do something different but I've not seen a sporting team win in that fashion. I go back to the 2003 Rugby World Cup winners, and Clive Woodward was completely on the one percenters. I watch football all the time, and I look at Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot teams.
"This cricket set-up has been quite relaxed, enjoyable and fun, but don't tell me the England side from 2010-2004, the number one team in the world, didn't enjoy it.
"And they enjoyed it because they were winning. And that is the most important aspect about any aspect of sport. You enjoy it a lot more when you're winning and lifting trophies."
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