Mitchell Johnson - England can win Ashes without Stokes

Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson claims England can win the Ashes without Ben Stokes.

Mitchell Johnson dominated England in 2013/14
Ashes Series. 

Stokes, arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm last month lead to The England and Wales Cricket Board saying that the 26-year-old will not travel to Australia "at this stage.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live's Tuffers and Vaughan show, Johnson said: "I don't think you can read too much into what people are commenting on 'no Stokes, no England',"

England will be attempting to retain the Ashes in Australia despite the hosts being favourites, even after their disastrous winter in the subcontinent.

Johnson added: "I think England can win without him. I think at a contest at that high level, anyone can win.

"If you're Australia, you don't want to be thinking they can't win because Stokes isn't there - that can bite you in the backside pretty quickly."

Johnson was the key man in Australia's last Ashes victory, taking 37 wickets and dominating England in the 2013-14 series whitewash of England.

Quotes Courtesy of BBC Radio 5 live.