The Australians rate Stokes quite highly, capable of changing the complexion of the game both with the bat and ball, especially after he single-handedly snatched an astonishing victory over Australia at Leeds in 2019.
Broad has not played since picking up a calf tear after the first Test against India but insisted lack of enough competitive cricket won't be an issue.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has pointed out that England have picked a very predictable squad for the Ashes in Australia.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has cast doubts on his country's bowlers' ability to "blow" Australia away in the five-Test Ashes series, scheduled to commence on December 8 at Brisbane.
Australia hold the Ashes after the previous series in England in 2019 was drawn.
The Australian government are planning to reopen their borders for international travel next month on a state-by-state basis depending on vaccination levels.
Captain Joe Root was among those who had voiced his concern over the extreme quarantine measures put in place for touring parties.
Paine said he was never in doubt that the Ashes won't go ahead.
Former all-rounder Ian Botham said that if he was in the place of the current Test players in England, he would have already packed his bags to go for the Ashes in Australia.
Michael Hussey has expressed his sympathies with the England players, saying they have endured a lot of bio-bubble life in the last one-and-a-half years.