Sydney - Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey expects England all-rounder
Ben Stokes to be the star of the show during the Champions Trophy that starts
in the UK next month.
Hussey, who won the World Cup with the Aussies in 2007, has
been in India while Stokes has set the world alight for the Rising Pune
Supergiant in the on-going Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 25-year-old Stokes, who is in his debut season in the
IPL, has already scored a century and a fifty while he has also taken 10
wickets in as many matches as his team look set to feature in the playoffs.
On the back of that form, Hussey predicted that the
left-handed batsman and right-arm seamer will be the star attraction as England
try to win their first global title.
Hussey told Cricket Australia's website: "I've watched him in India in the IPL and he's playing really well.
"I feel like his batting has improved immeasurably,
he's now starting to really work it out.
"And with experience he's getting better as a short-form bowler as well, he's more confident in his own ability.
"He's an incredible talent, incredible power. Once he
starts figuring the game out in the mind, how he plays best and with a bit more
experience it's a really dangerous combination.
"All the assets are there and if his confidence is up and gets the opportunity to play well then he could get on a roll and be really hard to stop."