Ben Stokes out to unleash England attack on Australia
Ben Stokes will turn to pace while also backing in the electrifying batting that has served England so well under his Test captaincy when the Ashes starts on 16 June.
England has scored at a dazzling 4.76 runs an over in Tests since Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum started leading the team last year under an approach known as ‘Bazball’.
Stokes now wants England to also target heated rivals Australia with express pace even in conditions typically suited to seamers, while also revealing that he already has a line-up in mind.
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“I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts,” Stokes told Sky Sports.
“Having the option to bowl above 90mph, any captain wants that. When it comes to that first Test I will be making sure I pick the best team for that first game.
“We’ve been clear, especially with the ground staff around England, about what type of wickets we want and they’ve been responsive. We want flat, fast wickets.”
England will hope to call on speedster Jofra Archer when the Ashes series kicks off at Edgbaston, with Mark Wood and Olly Stone among the other pace options.
Archer made an eye-catching Test debut when Australia last toured England in 2019 but has been restricted to only 13 red-ball matches due to a host of injuries.
The right-arm quick recently returned from an 18-month layoff with an elbow complaint, but has only appeared once for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League as concerns linger over his fitness.
Experienced duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad have terrorised Australia on home soil and could again be pivotal even as England take their innovative game-plan into the Ashes.
Jofra Archer feature
“Jimmy and Broad had been so protective over their economy rates, but now they have seen a different side to it,” Stokes said.
“Having those two with a ‘fine to go for runs mentality’ is something that will do us fine if Australia come back at us.”
Stokes has also had to sit out IPL matches for Mumbai Indians as he battles an issue with his left knee.
The 31-year-old all-rounder has 194 Test wickets and is confident he can overcome the soreness to support the pace attack as England aim to reclaim the Ashes against Australia.
“I‘ve worked so hard over the last month, five weeks, to get where I am now,” Stokes said.
“Being able to bowl pain-free, touch wood, has been good. I went for 18 runs, but I was like ’oh I managed to bowl an over without pain in my knee’.
“The main priority for me is making sure that I can fulfil my role as fourth seamer in the Ashes.”
The five Tests that make up the Ashes series will be part of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Australia will meet India in the final of the current WTC cycle at the Oval from 7 June, while England face Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord's from 1 June.
