DURHAM’S Ben Stokes yesterday took another step forward on what is expected to become a glittering England career when he was named in the England Performance squad to go to Australia this winter.

Despite a disappointing season for Durham, Liam Plunkett has also been included, but it is the selection of Stokes at the age of 19 which will make cricket fans sit up and take notice.

He topped Durham’s championship batting averages with 740 runs at 46.25, but missed the last three games with a broken foot.

It was reported he would be out of action for three months, but Durham coach Geoff Cook is confident he will be ready for action when the squad leave for Brisbane on November 13.

“He has to go to Loughborough in two weeks for an initial assessment,” said Cook.

“The first week in November is when he should be fully in the swing of things.

“I don’t think we’ll ever know the true answer as to why there were so many foot and ankle injuries this season.

We couldn’t pin down the reason for Ben’s injury. His foot had been sore, then one day he came in and it had swollen to twice the size of the other one.

“This is a terrific opportunity for him to get on the map and find out what the preparation for international cricket is all about. Ability-wise there’s every reason to believe he will play for England, and physically he’s fearless.

He’s not afraid of a good scrap on the pitch.”

The performance squad will initially provide back-up for the Ashes series and will play a four-day match against Queensland on November 25- 28 before heading for Perth.

They also have a match against Western Australia on December 7-10 and will stay in the build-up to the third Test before returning home on December 16.

Stokes said: “This time last year I’d never have imagined that I would have played so much first-class cricket for Durham. It was a bit of a setback getting injured towards the end of the season so I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things.

“It will be really exciting to be over in Australia and it will be a great opportunity to work alongside some quality players who have had experience in the international scene.

“It’s great that Liam Plunkett is going to be there too as it’ll help me settle in quickly.

It’s good to have guys that you already know with you as it makes the initial part of the trip much easier.”

Plunkett’s involvement with the England squad last winter, when he was constantly on the sidelines, appeared to have done him little good. He averaged only 14 with the bat, compared with 44.44 last year, while his 35 wickets cost 39.6 apiece, compared with 49 at 24.83.

“It’s good for Liam to get constant recognition,” said Cook. “He has struggled with the bat this season. He tinkered with one or two things last winter instead of continuing to play his natural game.

“He needs to convert reasonable seasons into big seasons – 30 or 40 wickets into 70 or 80 – then he’ll break into the England team.”

Durham’s Scott Borthwick will also be in Australia this winter as he is going to Adelaide on an ECB scholarship, while Mitch Claydon and Ian Blackwell have been invited to play in New Zealand’s Twenty20 tournament.