England captain Ben Stokes insists there will be no let-up in his side’s dynamic approach during the Ashes series against arch-rivals Australia, which starts on Friday. Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have overseen 11 wins from 13 Tests since they joined forces last year, playing in an ultra-aggressive style.
All-rounder Stokes, a veteran of several Ashes campaigns, told a pre-match press conference at Edgbaston on Thursday that his players were relaxed ahead of the first Test of the five-match series.
“Every day we edge closer to the start of the se-ries it has been like ‘Oh I wish I started tomorrow’ and now that day is finally here,” said the 32-year-old skipper.
“We are really excited to get going. It has been a long time coming.”
Stokes said England were committed to their all-action brand of cricket despite the challenge of facing Pat Cummins’ men, who have the world’s three top-ranked batsmen in their ranks and boast a fearsome pace attack. The Australians, who are Ashes holders, last week defeated India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. – Winning formula – “You get asked a lot if we are going to continue to play this way against this opposition, against that opposition, but I think we have just made it clear that this is how England play their cricket against any opposition.—APP
