Stokes: We’ll make it a sizzler for the fans

BEN STOKES wants to make it a second ‘summer of love’ for England.

The nation was in high spirits last year thanks to the Three Lions’ fantastic run to the football World Cup semi-finals in Russia.

Now the cricketers want to keep the party going with their own World Cup on home soil this summer followed by the Ashes against Australia to look forward to.

England all-rounder Stokes said: “It will be tough. Football has a bigger following than cricket.

“But our fans are absolutely amazing and I think they are just as excited as us about what this summer has to offer.

“It will be amazing to do well this summer and I would love to end it being a World Cup winner and regaining the Ashes.”

Huge

England leave for the Caribbean tomorrow with their first tour match next Tuesday against a West Indies Board XI.

A three-match Test series starts on January 23 in Barbados, where Joe Root’s side will be looking to build on their brilliant series victory in Sri Lanka at the end of last year.

Stokes is under no illusions, however, of the task that awaits.

He said: “I always love touring the Caribbean. However, it’s not a holiday. Cricket is always the main focus. We know it will be a very competitive tour and prepare us for a huge summer ahead.”

Stokes is the latest British sports star to sign up with fashion brand 11 Degrees, following boxers Tony Bellew and Carl Frampton. And he admits some of his clothing comes as a shock to his team-mates.

He said: “I get a lot of stick sometimes, especially from my teammates with my attire but they are just boring.

“Fashion is something I always try to have an open mind with. So, I try to mix it up with different looks as much as I can.”

Stokes is keen to let his cricket do the talking from now on after being cleared of affray in August following a fight outside a Bristol nightclub.

His involvement in the incident in September 2017 saw Stokes lose the vice-captaincy and his place on the last Ashes tour.

Last month he and one-day teammate Alex Hales were fined and received backdated bans after pleading guilty at an ECB hearing to bringing the game into disrepute.

Stokes added: “Expectations will always be high representing your country.”