England captain Ben Stokes has offered a frank assessment of his own leadership following his team’s heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test, conceding he must improve his tactical clarity as the series moves to Brisbane.
Speaking ahead of the day-night second Test, Stokes struck a reflective tone, directly addressing criticism of the team’s performance and his own role in their eight-wicket loss in Perth. He expressed particular regret over his pre-series description of former England players as “has-beens,” calling the term “a horrible word” and an inaccurate representation of his intent.
“I could have been a lot better as captain,” Stokes admitted. “I am the person who makes the decisions and gives the plans to the bowlers. I wasn’t as clear as I normally am. The key thing for me is to be completely crystal clear.”
The all-rounder defended the team’s overall approach but acknowledged a recurring vulnerability. While England’s aggressive batting philosophy can be devastating, he noted the lineup has been dismissed inside 40 overs seven times since the start of the previous year—a statistic he accepts highlights a problem with absorbing pressure at key moments.
“We keep it very simple, which is always looking to put the opposition under pressure, but also understanding the moment we need to absorb it,” Stokes explained. “We know we are very, very good at the first bit and there are areas that we can be better doing the second bit.”
Responding to accusations of arrogance from some Australian quarters, Stokes pushed back, suggesting the label was misplaced. “I think arrogant might be a little bit too far,” he stated. “Call us whatever you want. I’d rather words like ‘rubbish’… We didn’t have the Test match that we wanted to, but we were great in passages of that game.”
He pointed to England’s first-innings bowling performance, which skittled Australia for 132, as a foundation to build upon, despite the confirmed absence of pace bowler Mark Wood for the Gabba fixture.
The upcoming day-night Test presents a significant challenge, with Australia holding a formidable record in the format. England’s decision to forgo a traditional tour match in favour of specific training in Brisbane has been questioned, but Stokes indicated the preparation was tailored to the expected humid conditions and a livelier Gabba pitch.
As his team seeks to level the series, Stokes also recognised the disappointment of England’s travelling and home supporters. “We know we’ve got an incredible fanbase,” he said. “They want to see us win. We want to win. We’re absolutely desperate.”