Stokes sets sights on regaining the Ashes after series victory over South Africa
LONDON: A day ater sealing the Test series win against South Africa, england skipper ben Stokes has set his sights on regaining the Ashes next summer and taking revenge for the 0-4 thrashing down Under earlier this year.
england’s new-found confidence stems from the fact that they have won six of the seven Tests they have played this season starting with the 3-0 clean sweep against New zealand, followed by victory in the rescheduled fith Test against India and then the 2-1 series victory against the Proteas.
Australia have held the urn since 2017-18 but Stokes is ‘excited’ about england aiming to regain the Ashes next summer. However, before that, england will have to contend with the gruelling three-test tour of Pakistan in december.
“When you know you have an Ashes coming up very soon, it’s hard not to look at it, especially with how the last Ashes trip went,” Stokes was quoted as saying by daily Mail.
“I am excited by the Ashes, especially with the way we are playing.” Asked about the chances of pace bowler Stuart broad -- who had accounted for david Warner’s wicket seven times for 35 runs during the 2019 Ashes -- and James Anderson being around with the side for the upcoming Ashes, Stokes replied, “You keep picking people if they keep performing. They are the two guys I turn to for something to break the game open.
“They stand up in the big moments, and if broady (Stuart broad) wasn’t to be playing, davey Warner might sleep a litle bit easier, so we’ve got to take that into consideration,” said Stokes.
on the upcoming tour of Pakistan, Stokes felt the pacers won’t get that much purchase from the wicket they get in home conditions and players will have to be ready for the challenges.
“It’s (Pakistan) a hot country, and you are not going to get anywhere near as much assistance with the ball as you do in england. You will be facing a lot more spin. That’s a new challenge for us and something we are excited by.”
Meanwhile, england men’s managing director Rob Key has lavished rich praise on Stokes and head coach brendon Mccullum for turning around the fortunes of the country’s Test team in this year’s home summer, saying the pair have that “bit of magic”.
Ater winning just one Test in their last 17 matches, Joe Root and Chris Silverwood stepped down as captain and coach respectively. Key, who succeeded Ashley giles as england Men’s managing director, then got Mccullum and Stokes on board as head coach and captain respectively.
Under the duo, england have won six out of seven matches in this year’s home summer, starting with a 3-0 sweep of World Test Champions New zealand, followed by a record-breaking chase of 378 to beat India by seven wickets and came back from behind to defeat the Proteas 2-1.
“When you go through life, you don’t want someone telling you what you can’t do all of the time. There is no real secret to it. All of the great people you listen to, they are not saying ‘be careful of this’, ‘don’t play outside there’, ‘don’t do this’.”
“If you’re going to be inspired by people, you want them to convince you that you can do something that maybe you can’t do. That’s what Stokes and brendon do in particular -- they give you confidence. What you need is that bit of inspiration, that bit of magic, and those two have it,” said Key to Sky Sports ater the third Test ended at The oval.
Key further threw light on how Stokes was at a different level altogether as a leader.
“All it was thinking, ‘how do you get the best out of talented individuals? Who are the best people to get the best out of Jonny bairstow’? Players like that, who we have watched the play and think he’s so good this lad.”
“We’re all of the same philosophy, though Stokes is to another level. He is so inspirational. And the other thing that shouldn’t be underestimated is how smart he is. He has not wasted one word, there is always a reason for what he does, what he says and how he says it.”
“Whatever style of cricketer you are, there is something in it for you. It’s about trying to maximise each individual and get them to perform to their potential, and they’ve done it so well.”
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