Stokes says England will be put to the test

Ben Stokes has called for England to “right the wrongs” of Trent Bridge when they face South Africa in the third Test at The Oval, starting tomorrow.

The hosts were thumped by 340 runs in Nottingham earlier this month as the tourists levelled the four-match series in convincing fashion.

England have now had time to reflect on the disappointing display, and Durham all-rounder Stokes insists it was not due to a lack of desire.

“You take good performances and bad performances in your stride and I think it’s all about how we come back in this Test which will prove how good of a side we are,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Obviously, it wasn’t an ideal performance from us as a team and we know that.

“It’s good that we managed to get time away and sort of look back on and assess where we went wrong and hopefully we can right the wrongs this week.

“No one’s ever going to get questioned in that changing room about their fight and desire for wanting to perform for England.”

England struggled with the bat last time out, making 205 in the first innings before being bowled out for just 133 in the second.

Despite the manner of the defeat, 26-year-old Stokes does not think momentum has shifted in South Africa’s favour.

“It’s 1-1, both games have been pretty one-sided and the team who won swapped around,” he said.

“We’ve got two games left so we just need to make sure that we come out here and put in a better performance than we did at Trent Bridge and really take a front foot in the series.

“I think the biggest question is just being able to adapt better,” he said.