English all-rounder Ben Stokes has wished the English team just a couple of hours before the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. In a message posted on Twitter, the flamboyant allrounder also informed that he will be keeping a keen eye on the proceedings of the Test series.

In the video posted on Instagram, Stokes said, “With the Ashes starting very soon, I just wanted to get a message out the all the boys out in the Australia, wishing them all the best for the first Test match. I know how much preparation has gone into making sure everyone’s right and ready to go. And by the looks of it, everyone is.”

He further added, “I just wanted to wish all the fans who made the long travels out to Australia all the best as well. I hope we can give you a good result in the first Test match. I’ll be sat at home watching and following the lads and hoping they do really well.”

Meanwhile, whether Stokes will be charged by the police over the Bristol fight is yet to be decided, his absence will surely be felt by the English side. England’s Test captain Joe Root had acknowledged the same as he said, “I think if you asked any captain in the world in any form of cricket ‘would you prefer to have Ben Stokes in your squad?’ … they would all say yes.”

Here is the video posted by Stokes:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb0B09rgouN/