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Stokes can be our Flintoff: Cook

England skipper hoping allrounder Ben Stokes can dominate Ashes like Andrew Flintoff did a decade ago

England captain Alastair Cook believes allrounder Ben Stokes could have as big an impact on the Ashes as Andrew Flintoff did a decade ago.

And Flintoff himself has been so impressed with the 24-year-old that he believes, if he were still playing, he would struggle to force his way into the current England XI.

Flintoff was the star of England's 2005 Ashes series victory with 402 runs and 24 wickets as they beat Australia in a Test campaign for the first time since 1986-87.

Stokes, like Flintoff a hard-hitting batsman and lively seamer, impressed during England's first Test win against New Zealand at Lord's this season with dashing innings of 92 and 101, as well as two wickets in two balls on the final day.

Asked who might emerge as an Ashes hero this year on the eve of the first Test in Cardiff, Cook told a news conference: "I'm going to pick another allrounder - Ben Stokes.

"He's been in fantastic form this summer.

"I believe he's coming into his own. He feels comfortable, and I think he's going to have a fantastic summer."

Stokes has looked assured since being promoted to No.6 in the order by caretaker coach Paul Farbrace, now the assistant to England's new Australian boss, Trevor Bayliss.

His century at Lord's was Stokes making good on the promise he demonstrated with a hundred in just his second Test, against Australia in Perth - a rare England highlight in the midst of their humiliating 5-0 Ashes defeat in 2013-14.

Australia's XI to be revealed on match morning

"He is a fine player, he is a proper batsman and his bowling will improve," Flintoff said of Stokes.

"He has all the ingredients, he just needs confidence with the ball.

"I just look at the two sides, I would sooner be in the England side than the Australia side – in fact, I wouldn’t get in the England side; they have Ben Stokes now."

Stokes had plenty of ups and downs between his maiden century and his hundred against New Zealand a month ago, including being left out of England's World Cup squad.

"I think over the last six months he's really matured as a cricketer," Cook said.

"Being left out of the World Cup squad hurt him.

"We all know he's got the talent to be there, but he would say himself he wasn't quite performing as he should have done to earn selection.

"I think he understands international cricket a little bit better than he did when he first started.

"I think that's a natural thing, getting used to the environment. He loves the competitive side of it."

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