Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Baz and I are clear on how we want to operate... and everyone has bought into it really quickly
ENGLAND are unbeaten in a home Ashes series since 2001.
And it is a record that Ben Stokes has no intention of letting slip this summer.
But whatever happens over the next two months, he is also intent on ensuring that England players continue to perform with a smile on their faces. And make this a series to remember. “We want to help create memories for these players,” he said. “You want to look back on the period you spent playing for England and think, ‘What a good time we had then’.”
Speaking to The Red Bulletin, Stokes outlined the philosophy that has served England so well since he was handed the captaincy and Brendon McCullum (with Stokes above) was named head coach.
This winter, Stokes equalled the record of becoming the fastest captain to 10 Test wins.
Since the pair came together, England have been an irresistible force, winning 10 out of 12 Tests.
But Australia could prove an immovable object, having won seven out of 11 Tests in 2022 and losing just once.
Whatever the outcome of the series, at a time when Test cricket is more under threat than at any other in its history, this Ashes should illustrate why the original format is still the best.
“With me and Baz, you’ve got two blokes in the leadership position, driving the team in the same direction without mixed messages for anyone,” said Stokes.
“It’s so clear what we want to achieve within this team, that the conversations we have around cricket are simple.
“We’ve made the way we want to operate clear. The Aussies are a very strong team, but we won’t be taking a backward step.
“The last 12 months have been great and I think the best thing about it is that we can still give more, do more and achieve a lot more.
“We’re still learning about ourselves as players and as a team. Winning and experiencing the highs is great, but, on the few occasions where we haven’t performed as we would have liked to, we’ve learned a lot more.
“We haven’t taken it in a negative way, we’ve reflected and used that to move forward.”
The misery of a run of just one Test win in 17 matches and five series defeats in a row ahead of last summer is now a distant memory for England.
A team that didn’t have a clue how to win a Test match, now appear to have forgotten how to lose one.
“Last summer was a great one to look back on,” said Stokes. “It was full of a lot of great moments for us as a team and also for a lot of individuals as well.
“It wasn’t a case of easy cricket and easy games that we won. We could have been on the losing end of quite a few of those games throughout the summer. And that’s one thing we wanted to do – we wanted to come up with a way of playing cricket that was going to force a result either way. “Everyone bought into it really quickly. Not only did we enjoy playing in that way, but the people who are supporting us and watching us play, really enjoyed.”
The winter was not too shabby either. Back in December, England became the first country in history to win all three Tests in a series in Pakistan.
Even on dull pitches, Stokes’ side showed a remarkable ability to make things happens out of nothing.
The rise of young stars, such as Harry Brook (left) – who averages more than 80 after his first six Tests – also illustrates the impact that Stokes and McCullum have had.
Keeping those players wanting to place Test cricket over lucrative contracts in franchise cricket is also a clear priority. “When we get together as a Test group, we’re conscious of creating an environment that players are excited to come to,” added Stokes.
“It’s about keeping that willingness to be a part of it, rather than things that can attract people away from Test cricket.
“We can only do what we can do to keep people interested in representing England in the longest format. I think, and Brendon thinks, a huge part is down to what we do away from the pitch.” On it, England can do little wrong.
So, hold on to your hats –this summer could be quite a ride.