Ben Stokes has declared Australia’s standing as Test world champions won’t cease his facet from following via on their fearless strategy to cricket within the Ashes.
The most entertaining crew in world cricket over the previous yr, England have gained 11 of 13 matches underneath Brendon McCullum and scored on the quickest charges in Test historical past.
But the crew’s free-wheeling strategy will face its largest problem within the subsequent two months, towards a world-champion Australian facet and the world’s prime bowling assault.
But in Stokes’ thoughts, that’s all irrelevant forward of Friday’s first Test at Edgbaston.
“We found a style and a way we want to play our cricket that has been very successful, regardless of the opposition,” Stokes mentioned.
“That’s what we’ll try and stick to.
“Conditions can dictate how you are able to do that, however we are going to all the time try to adapt to the situations and nonetheless have that constructive mode to try to exit as a lot enjoyable as we will.
“And we’ll always try and put pressure back on the opposition regardless of who it is. Not facing the man, facing the ball.”
Stokes mentioned he cared little for Australia’s query marks over whether or not England may execute that strategy towards their assault.
“You get asked a lot if we’re going to continue to play this way against whatever team or opposition,” Stokes mentioned.
“We’ve made it clear this is how England play their cricket against any opposition, because it has worked more often than not.
“I do not suppose there may be going to be any query round how we’re going to exit and try to play our cricket, although it’s towards Australia.”
Stokes said his players were as relaxed as ever on Thursday, clear in what they wanted to do and relieved the Ashes were finally on their doorsteps.
He has also handed them a massive boost, confident he will be fit to bowl in the opening Test after building up his intensity over the past three days.
Stokes’ overs will be crucial in a bowling attack that includes a 36-year-old Stuart Broad and 40-year-old James Anderson.
England have left out their fastest paceman in Mark Wood to play the pair alongside Ollie Robinson.
But Stokes said Broad’s 2019 Ashes against David Warner meant the seamer could not be left out, after he removed the opener seven times four years ago and had him averaging 9.5.
“I’d be mendacity if I mentioned no (it did not have something to do with it),” Stokes mentioned.
“Broady’s report towards Australia is unimaginable. It may be very exhausting to look previous somebody like that within the opening recreation of a giant collection.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
