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The 30-year-old was given the all-set by his consultant and the England and Wales Cricket Board following a second operation on a fractured finger.
"To be able to confirm to [captain] Joe Root that I would be available to join the tour from the start was a great moment."
Stokes added: "Rooty said it was great to hear me sounding so well.
"I feel much better about everything from my finger to my mental well-being and can focus on playing my best cricket.
"I had been struggling with bubble life and events off the field. I dont want anyone to feel the way I did, because I wasnt in a good place and Im not afraid to admit it.
"I was in a real dark place and having some difficult thoughts, but now I realize talking is such a powerful thing and it has completely changed me."
One of the greats as a cricketer and an even better bloke. Welcome back my friend ❤️ https://t.co/FleT7eDjxu
— Joe Root (@root66) October 25, 2021
Stokes quit from Englands squad for the five-Test series against India in August to rest his left index finger, which he broke while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League in April.
Stokes had taken a break from the game in July to focus on his mental wellbeing while also recovering from a finger injury he had suffered during the first leg of the IPL.
“I had a break to prioritize my mental wellbeing and I got my finger sorted,” Stokes was quoted as saying by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
“I am looking forward to seeing my mates and being on the field with them. I’m ready for Australia,” he added.
Stokes has been given the all-clear by his consultant and the ECB medical team to resume training following his second operation on a fractured left index finger, the ECB said in a statement.
Managing director of England men’s cricket, Ashley Giles, said, “Following a very successful operation on his finger and several conversations over the last few weeks between Ben and I, our medical staff and his management team,
Ben called me to say he was ready to return to cricket and was excited about the prospect of playing a significant role in the Ashes series.
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