West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards jumps into the verbal battle in the build-up of the Ashes. He targeted England straight away and said they will look like Kittens in Australia without their star all-rounder Ben Stokes.

England is gearing up for the Ashes without Stokes and has played one warm-up game as well. On the other hand, Stokes is waiting for his verdict in the Bristol brawl, which led him into the prison in September.

However, ECB is very keen to bring him back into the squad for Ashes, but first he has to receive a clean chit from Avon and Somerset Police.

Viv Richards is amazed with his absence and added his words into the biggest rivalry of world cricket. “I’m a fan of Ben Stokes, England need that all-rounder with a bit of heart. I think you’re going to need this stuff Down Under because the Aussies bring it. It will be quite crucial [to have him] in Australia. Let me say this, without Ben Stokes the English team is going to look like kittens in my opinion,” he said.

“What I saw when I came here [to England]… the middle order was a bit fragile. They kept chopping and changing. You can get away with that against West Indies, I’m not sure you will against Australia,” Richards concluded.

The action of Ashes will commence from November 23 in the Gabba.