Stokes' England back to the drawing board after Ashes defeat
The all-rounder showed his keenness to continue as the England Test captain but admitted a rethink of their strategy is required after a 4-1 Ashes series loss.
Australia retained the Ashes in just 11 days of action, winning the first three Tests as England were searching for any semblance of form and consistency.
The aggressive, attacking brand of cricket synonymous with Ben Stokes’ leadership came under scrutiny, with the visiting batters failing to occupy the crease for long and repeatedly falling to attacking shots.
“When you come up against a team like Australia, who know how to play cricket out here and you are adding to your own downfall then you’re going to end up losing the series 4-1 like we have done," Stokes said.
Stokes acknowledged that a reassessment was necessary, admitting it may be time to rethink their approach. He highlighted how opposition teams have now adapted and learned to counter England’s aggressive strategy.
“I think we are playing against teams who have answers to the style of cricket that we have been playing over quite a long period of time now,” said Stokes.
“In the first couple of years, teams found it difficult to try and come up with anything to combat the way we played but now teams are coming up with plans that (are) standing up to a certain style of cricket that we want to play.
“When a trend is happening on a consistent basis, that’s when you do need to go back and look at the drawing board and make some adjustments.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Ben Stokes has reaffirmed his commitment to continue captaining the England Test side, expressing his determination and eagerness to lead the team back to its absolute best.
“(I’m) definitely, keen as anything to carry on,” Stokes stated.
“I love having a challenge thrown at me and at the moment the challenge is getting the team back to where we once were in terms of the performances that we were delivering.”
England’s next Test assignment will be a three-match home series against New Zealand in June. Four years ago, the series marked the start of the Brendon McCullum-Stokes era and the pair will be keen to mark a turnaround to their forms as they did four years ago.
“We started so well in the first couple of years and then now what we've done, we're just sort of slowly eking downwards, which is never a good place to be as a team.
“The time that we've got off after this is a time for reflection and time for some pretty honest truths because it needs to happen and those kind of things need to be said or else you just end up standing still.”
The manner of the series defeat has raised questions around McCullum’s role as England’s head coach. Ben Stokes and McCullum revitalised England’s Test cricket after taking charge as captain and head coach respectively in 2022, ushering in an aggressive and fearless brand of play. However, despite a below-par Ashes campaign, Stokes has thrown his full support behind McCullum
“I do expect him to be (in charge) but again it’s not my decision,” said Stokes.
“I’m sure if it ever comes to it, I’ll be asked my opinion and he’ll be getting my full support and backing.
"I absolutely love working with Baz. He’s a great man and he’s a very, very good coach.”
