Sir Andrew Strauss has praised Ben Stokes as “phenomenal” ahead of the upcoming Ashes series, but has warned Australia’s England Test captain that he will be going after him to the hilt.
Stokes will be looking to lead England to their first series win in Australia since the 2010/11 season, with a combined scoreline for the three tours following a disastrous 13-0 result against the tourists.
And when the England captain was branded a “cocky complainer” by The West Australian newspaper when the team arrived in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test on November 21, the media mind games quickly began.
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England captain Ben Stokes said his team had done everything possible to prepare for the first Ashes Test against Australia on November 21, following criticism of the tourists’ preparations.
Stokes also dismissed criticism from some former England players over what appeared to be limited preparation for the Ashes, which consisted of one three-day warm-up match against the England Lions, labeling the complaints as coming from “experienced players”.
“I think he’s a phenomenal Stoke,” Strauss said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. “I love his approach, I love the fact that he’s so clear in his thinking and doesn’t care about our opinion of what they’re doing at all.
“He, along with (head coach Brendon) McCullum, have taken English Test cricket quite a bit forward.
“But he also has weaknesses, Stokes.
“We know he’s an emotional guy and I think the Australians as a nation are going to really get under his skin through these five Test matches.”
“As captain, you have to be able to absorb it and show that it doesn’t really affect you.
“Stokes will find it difficult to do that, but what he can do, and what he has done well in the past, is respond with performances on the pitch, incredibly inspired performances with bat and ball, some of the best performances in England’s history.”
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England captain Ben Stokes has sent a message to the inexperienced members of his squad that The Ashes are “different” but they have “nothing to fear”.
“He has the ability to do it, but it would be very mentally draining for him.
“If England lose one or two Test matches early on, that will be a real challenge for him.”
Hussein: Buzzball engulfs Australia
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain, who captained England during the 2002/03 Ashes tour of Australia, believes that under Stokes and McCullum, the tourist style of play known as “buzz ball” took hold in Australia.
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The Sky Sports Cricket podcast discusses why England have performed poorly in the Ashes in Australia, with Nasser Hussain suggesting the buzz ball “got the hosts involved”.
“You’re dealing with the state, you’re dealing with the newspapers, you’re dealing with the press, you’re dealing with the crowd,” Hussein said of the challenges ahead.
“The ‘buzz ball’ hurt Australia. They were waiting for this England international to come over there.
“So you need tough cricketers. Historically, if you look at who has done well against Australia, it’s (Ian) Botham, Stokes. (Stuart) Broad, Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, guys like that are going to be playing against them.”
“Australia are going to attack us hard for weeks on end so I think we need that kind of character in our set-up.”
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
First Test: Friday 21st November – Tuesday 25th November (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth Second Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December – Monday 8th December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test: Wednesday 17th December – Sunday 21st December (12am) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25th December – Monday 29th December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground Fifth Test: Sunday 4th January – Thursday 8th January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
