Scott borthwick

ICC Champions Trophy: England have got a much-needed boost ahead of this year's Ashes series in Australia as Test skipper Ben Stokes has returned to training after his shoulder injury.

Stokes hasn't played since he hurt his shoulder during the fourth Test against India in Manchester in July, where he picked up five wickets in the first innings and scored a marathon 141 when batting. He was then ruled out of the fifth and final Test with Ollie Pope named as stand-in captain for the deciding Test at The Oval.

The experienced all-rounder, who expected to be sidelined for about six or seven weeks, has allayed fears he may miss the start of the Ashes by making a return to training in the nets with England county side Durham.