Key Highlights
- England captain Ben Stokes calls on his team to “create history” by winning the Ashes in Australia.
- This would be only the fifth time an England team has won an Ashes series since World War II, and just the second since 2010-11.
- England have not won a Test match in Australia since 2017-18, but Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are reviving their Test cricket efforts.
- The first Test begins in Perth on Friday, with England potentially fielding their fastest attack in a Test series.
The Ashes: A Historic Opportunity for England
England captain Ben Stokes has issued a rallying cry to his team ahead of the upcoming Ashes series, urging them to “create history” by winning the series in Australia. This is a significant challenge given that only five England teams have managed to secure an Ashes victory on Australian soil since World War II, and just two of those were achieved within the past four decades.
The last time England triumphed in this series was back in 2010-11, a fact that Stokes is keenly aware as he leads his team into one of cricket’s most storied competitions. The 34-year-old all-rounder has been instrumental in recent years, having contributed significantly to England’s success in both Test and limited-overs formats.
Stokes’ Vision for a New Era
“A lot has been spoken of about the history and how it has gone for England,” said Stokes. “This is our chance to create our own history, and it is up to us how that looks.”
The pressure on Stokes and his team is immense as they aim to break a 15-year drought in Test cricket against Australia. The last time an England Test team won here was way back in 2017-18, making this upcoming series all the more crucial.
England’s Fastest Attack
The strategy for this series involves potentially unleashing one of the fastest attacks ever seen in a Test match. With Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Ben Stokes himself capable of touching 90 mph, England could field an attack that no other team has assembled before.
“If we went back two years before we picked the squad, and that’s what we had available to us, we would have bitten your hand off,” added Stokes. “We are fortunate to select bowlers who can add skill as well as pace.”
Stokes’ Fitness and Leadership
Ben Stokes has returned to fitness after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of England’s last Test series against India in July. His health is critical for the team, especially considering the grueling nature of the Ashes.
“I’ve come into the series fully taking on that all-rounder role with bat and ball,” said Stokes. “I have worked hard to ensure I can give a full commitment towards this role, knowing how much it impacts the team’s performance.”
Perth Makes History
Notably, Perth will host the first Test in an Ashes series for the first time. The new 60,000-seater stadium replaces the famous Waca Ground, which has been notoriously unfriendly to visiting teams.
Australia have also faced significant selection issues with key players like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out due to injuries. However, Stokes does not believe this makes England’s task any easier, emphasizing their focus on themselves rather than the opposition.
Stokes’ Commitment
“Very easy,” said Stokes when asked about his decision to continue playing for England despite opportunities in the lucrative franchise circuit. “I want to eke everything out of this body I can and will do that in an England shirt.”
The Ashes series is not just a game but a defining moment for Stokes, who aims to cement his place among England’s greatest cricketers by winning the urn.
With all eyes on the first Test in Perth, one thing is certain: this Ashes series has the potential to be one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent memory. Only time will tell if Ben Stokes and his team can create history once again.
