'Ben Stokes is the best cricketer in the world': Michael Vaughan’s makes massive claim on England star ahead of Ashes opener

The hype surrounding the Ashes 2025-2026 is palpable as the high-octane rivalry is set to get underway from November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Former England captain Michael Vaughan's bold claim on Ben Stokes has only stoked the fire which is igniting in both the sides. If you look at it, England’s record against Australia, particularly when playing Down Under, is concerning. The team has failed to win a single Test match in Australia since 2011. Looking at the broader picture over the past decade, England have managed only seven Test victories against their rivals, while Australia has secured 14 wins, with four matches ending in a draw.

Australia, a better side against England Down Under

Historically, Australia hold a dominant record in the Ashes. They have notched up 152 Test wins against England, who have 112 victories to their name, alongside 97 drawn matches. Furthermore, the English team has not managed to win an Ashes series on Australian soil since the 2010-11 tour.

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Despite the historical and recent form disadvantages, the focus remains on the all-important first Test in Perth, which Australia will contest without the services of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Ben Stokes is the best player in the world: Michael Vaughan

Meanwhile, right ahead of the Ashes opener, Vaughan ranked the current England captain, Ben Stokes, above everyone else and termed him the best player in the world. Vaughan asserted that Stokes is not merely a great all-rounder, but also a match-winner capable of single-handedly changing the course of a game.

“Pound for pound, I think Ben Stokes is the best player in the world. He can win games off his own bat, as we know,” Vaughan said on SEN Cricket.

Vaughan previously expressed his belief that the Ben Stokes-led side possesses all the necessary components to finally secure an Ashes series victory in Australia, a feat they have not achieved since the 2010-11 tour. He highlighted the touring squad’s strong batting lineup, genuine pace bowling options, and sound leadership as key assets. Vaughan stressed that the fitness and performance of Ben Stokes himself would be the pivotal factor, believing the all-rounder has the ability to raise the team's chances even higher in the upcoming series.

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They need to use their brains: Vaughan's advice for England

Vaughan also emphasized that winning the crucial first Test in Perth will set the tone for the entire series. However, he advised England to focus on starting well and adhering to the fundamentals of the game. He further stressed the importance of remaining sharp in the field, avoiding early batting collapses, and playing smart, aggressive cricket without confusing caution with negativity.

“They have the tools to win in Australia. Good batting, proper pace, and great leadership. In Stokes, they have the best player on either side when he is fit and firing. If he is, their chances of winning rise again. I think they have to win the first Test in Perth to win the series. Being blown away on day one would be a nightmare for England. They need to use their brains, which they should not confuse with playing negatively,” Vaughan wrote in his column for ‘The Telegraph’.

England’s 12-member squad for first Ashes Test:

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.