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Xtra Time Web Desk: Ben Stokes has raised England cricket fans’ hopes for returning to cricket soon. The Durham all rounder shared a photo on his twitter gripping a bat for the first time in five months.

Stokes withdraw himself for the recently concluded test series at home against India. He was even not selected for England’s Ashes tour to Australia. He is taking an indefinite sabbatical to prioritise his mental wellbeing, and to recover from breaking his left index finger in April while playing for Rajasthan Royals in Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).

There is no date set for Stokes’ return, but English media were quick to republish his photograph of his bandaged finger gripping a bat handle.

Stokes, who had surgery on his finger, wrote: “12th April - Broken finger. 11th October - first time since breaking being able to get it round my handle.”

He tweeted "Ohhh aye lad” along with the photograph.

30-year-old Stokes has had a tough past year. He lost his father, former Kiwi’s rugby league prop Gerard Stokes, who died last December. The finger injury also left him in constant pain and, in July, he announced he was taking an indefinite break.

But his photograph has now sparked media speculation that he could possibly become a late addition to England’s Ashes campaign.