England captain Ben Stokes has advised his teammates to enter the Ashes with out concern.
The first Ashes Test will get underway at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 16, with England having received simply one of many final 5 sequence towards Australia.
Stokes has led his workforce to victory in 11 of the 13 Tests since he was put in as everlasting skipper firstly of the final northern summer season.
He and coach Brendon McCullum have overseen a change of strategy in preparation for an try and regain the Ashes urn for the primary time since 2015, following their 4-1 drubbing in Australia in 2021/22.
“It’s not like any other series,” Stokes wrote for the Players’ Tribune.
“There’s the pressure, the hype and the extra noise that comes with it, but we’re ready for all that this summer.
“We’ve had some good leads to the final yr and the mindset within the group is so robust. Everyone is totally dedicated to what we’re doing.
“We know how good we are and that on our good days we can beat anyone on their good days.”
Stokes, 32, who hit an unbeaten 135 as England battled again to chase down 359 and beat Australia at Headingley in 2019, needs the workforce to enter the most recent sequence unburdened by any strain.
“I promise you: We’re going to play without fear,” he wrote.
“We want to create an environment where everyone has the freedom to try things without fear.
“I do know it hasn’t at all times been that manner, though we have at all times had the flexibility.
“Hold nothing back. Express yourself. Show us what you can really do.
“And you recognize what? If you fail, then you definitely fail. So what?
“As captain, I’m not going to be chewing people out in press conferences or in the media for trying to play a big shot.
“And behind the scenes, you are not going to get a slap on the wrist from me or Brendon McCullum about it.
“I don’t want this to be taken out of context. Just because I say it’s alright to fail, it doesn’t mean I’m fine with losing. I hate losing.”
Stokes’ health is an ongoing concern for England.
His persistent left-knee damage is a giant drawback and he gave the impression to be struggling through the current one-off Test towards Ireland, elevating doubts over what function he can play with the ball through the Ashes.
He offered a lift to supporters with a clip on Instagram on Friday morning which appeared to indicate him bowling at full velocity throughout a coaching session on the University of St Andrews.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
