We’re going in hard from the first ball, vows Stokes
All-rounder tips Warner as tourists’ danger man Anderson, Woakes and Broad expected to start
Ben Stokes is not fooled by Australia’s new nice-guy image and vowed England will hit them hard tomorrow morning as they begin their quest to regain the Ashes in one of the world’s “greatest sporting environments”.
Stokes missed the last Ashes tour because of his legal troubles but has played in two previous Test series against Australia and knows all about the harsh realities of the rivalry on the pitch.
Coach Justin Langer has instilled a new culture in the team but England expect the same old Australia when the Ashes start in Birmingham tomorrow.
“It is weird Aussies trying to be nice to you. I think once you get out in the middle and cross the white line the real competitive side of both teams will come out as Ashes are the biggest Test series played in the world,” said Stokes.
The all-rounder’s Test debut was in Adelaide in 2013 and when he walked to the crease he was given a quick introduction to Ashes cricket. Brad Haddin, Australia’s wicketkeeper and one of cricket’s most renowned sledgers, walked past him and said something along the lines of: “I’ve been told not to mess with you.” Without looking up from marking his guard Stokes is said to have replied: “Put it this way, I’ve got enough to deal with you.” Australia will not be provoking Stokes but it is hard to imagine James Anderson will resist having a dig at David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft with the Cape Town three expected to be reunited for the first time in Test cricket since their bans for balltampering in the third Test against South Africa in March last year.
“There is always something that happens between teams in Ashes series and I don’t think this will be any different,” said Stokes. “Both teams are desperate to win, both sets of players are desperate to perform because Ashes series are where you get looked at. It is where you are scrutinised and criticised more, or if you do well, you get more praise. I can assure you there will be some sort of theatre that goes on out there.
“You can’t feel your way into any Ashes series – you have to hit the ground running. Even if we bat first, and you’re in the middle order, you have to be switched on.
“Getting off to a good start can make it flow throughout the series and you want to win that first day because, hopefully, that can carry on into the next four days. If you go 1-0 down in a series it can be hard to come back from, so you want to start very well.
“Davey Warner is a player who can take games away from you. He is a phenomenal batsman and very dangerous opener so to tie him down and not let him establish his authority would be a really big plus for us for the rest of the series. We don’t want to give anything away to any of their batsmen.
“We want to let them know we are here to be serious and everyone in the changing room is desperately trying to get that urn back because it’s not good them having it.”
Stokes knows how special the first day of an Ashes series will be at Edgbaston. He admitted he would need the help of sleeping pills to get through tonight as the tension and anxiety builds.
“The night before is the worst, sleeping pills are the best way to describe it. You’re anxious, there’s excitement, then getting out there for the warm-up is special,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest sporting environments you can be in, the first morning of an Ashes series. It is awesome.” The timing of this Ashes series is difficult for England and Stokes admits to feeling a crash after the high of winning the World Cup when he was man of the match in the dramatic final against New Zealand.
“It was two days after the final. I was playing golf and everything had calmed down. I was sat in the buggy and said to Tom Curran that I was sad that it was over. You think about how much effort had gone into it over four years and then that seven weeks to then lifting the World Cup, which was absolutely brilliant, but it was a real comedown because we cannot relive that feeling of walking around the outfield at Lord’s.
“I needed time at home. I needed to be in my own house, in my own bed and be with the family to recharge my batteries. That helped me wipe under the carpet what we had done in the World Cup.
“It was a week later when everything had calmed down for me emotionally about the World Cup and I could concentrate on the Ashes.”
England confirmed yesterday that Joe Root would bat at three and Joe Denly at four. Denly said: “I’ve been scoring pretty heavily for Kent. This week is going to be a very proud moment.”
Heavy rain in Birmingham prevented England from training outside yesterday and stopped Jofra Archer proving his fitness. Archer did bowl in the indoor nets, however, and with decent pace, too.
England are expected to select the trusted old guard of Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.