England cricket captain Ben Stokes has issued a firm message to his squad ahead of the Ashes series, advising them to expect and dismiss intense scrutiny from the Australian press. Stokes characterized the anticipated media frenzy as an inevitable part of the tour, emphasizing that challenges extend beyond the boundary rope.
The skipper expressed particular frustration with recent critiques of the team’s preparation from former players, whom he labeled “has-beens,” insisting his side has left “no stone unturned” in their planning. He pointed to the modern, congested international schedule as the reason tours can no longer follow the lengthy, traditional warm-up patterns of the past.
Stokes revealed he was almost disappointed when the media spotlight shifted from him to teammate Joe Root, seeing it as a rite of passage. He stressed the importance of experienced players guiding newcomers through the unique atmosphere of an Ashes tour in Australia, where off-field narratives often run parallel to the on-field contest.
“The attention is part of the deal here,” Stokes stated. “It’s about taking it in your stride, not shying away from it. We’ve all dreamed of playing in this series, and now we’re here. It’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Regarding team readiness, Stokes confirmed the squad’s sole warm-up match would be played with full intensity. He also addressed the fitness of key fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, expressing hope both would be available for the first Test while acknowledging the uncertainty that the coming days may bring.
The physical toll of pre-Ashes cricket was underscored on the same day, as two Australian seamers, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, left the field during a domestic match with injury concerns. With Australia’s captain Pat Cummins already ruled out of the series opener, the host nation faces its own selection headaches ahead of the highly anticipated contest.