England don't stand a chance of winning the Ashes unless their batsmen rack up first innings scores of at least 450 but the talismanic presence of Ben Stokes offers hope.
That's the view of past England hero Darren Gough ahead of the opening Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Former fast bowler Gough believes England possess a seam attack to trouble the home side but the efforts of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Co will all be in vain if the batting lets them down.
England's hopes of winning the Ashes in Australia rest heavily on the shoulders of Ben Stokes
Stokes slayed the Aussies at Headingley in 2019 and England need him to perform once more
England legend Darren Gough believes their chances are boosted greatly by Stokes
Joe Root's side enter the five-match series as underdogs, as is normal Down Under, and as one of the worst-prepared England touring sides ever after most of their two intra-squad warm-up games were washed out.
But Gough, used to conjuring memorable moments in a losing cause against the great Australian teams of the 1990s, is taking the glass-half-full approach.
'I went through a period of looking at our team going out there and looking at Australia, with their bowling line-up being so strong,' Gough tells Sportsmail.
'With the bowling attack we picked, the only worry I had was we didn't have the firepower to bowl Australia out twice.
'But then Ben Stokes came into it, a simple thing like Stokes coming back into the squad and I don't know whether it's false hope but it's now 'hang on a minute, this might just give us a chance.'
England captain Joe Root (right) with new Australian skipper Pat Cummins at the Ashes launch
Root is seen inspecting the wicket at The Gabba ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane
All-rounder Stokes, 30, had been taking an 'indefinite break from all cricket' to prioritise his mental health
