After returning to the international cricket through the last ODI series on the New Zealand soil, English all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to return to the Test arena in this week. Since the last September, it will be the first Test for Stokes. His fellow team-mate Moeen Ali said that Stokes brings the balance in the team.

The Test series between the hosts New Zealand and England is going to begin on this Thursday. The first Test of this series will be the first ever day/night Test on the New Zealand soil which will be played at Eden Park (Auckland).

Also read: Martin Guptill returns for the day/night Test

Since the last September, English all-rounder Ben Stokes has not played a Test yet. He is set to make a comeback in the Test squad in this week.

Talking about the importance of Stokes in England team, another English all-rounder Moeen Ali told The Telegraph, “He’s always great for the team. The balance of the team is pretty much sorted when he’s in the team. It’s just having him in the side, knowing we’ve got a much stronger side when he’s playing. It gives everyone else a good lift, and obviously him being at slip for me, he’s very good in that position.”

Moeen further added, “He’s ready to go and ready to perform and give back to the team, which I’m sure he wants to do for what happened earlier.”

Also read: Ben Stokes Will Miss Lord’s Test Against India

Despite the hosts, New Zealand was once leading the recently ended ODI series by the 2-1 margin, England finally claimed the ODI series by the 2-3 margin.

Speaking about the upcoming two-match Test series against the hosts New Zealand, Moeen said, “I think it’s going to be quite a tight series. I think they’ve got a very good side and some world-class players who are in good form and some very good bowlers as well. I think the difference will be how low we bat – our tail, with (Chris) Woakesy probably going to be number nine now, we bat all the way down.”