Ben Stokes Defends England Against ‘Has-Been’ Criticism in The Ashes
Ben Stokes has responded to criticism regarding England’s preparation for the Ashes series. The team has recently completed a white-ball series in New Zealand, prompting some former players to question their readiness for the Test matches in Australia.
England’s Preparation for the Ashes
Stokes emphasized that modern cricket preparation is complex and varies significantly from the past. He noted, “Cricket has changed so much. Preparation is nowhere near as simple as it used to be.” Historically, players would tour for months before the first game, but that is no longer feasible.
In discussing the current build-up, Stokes highlighted that England has not only focused on recent weeks but has been strategizing for years. He stated, “We’ve been preparing for this tour… putting a lot of thought and process into this.”
Criticism from Former Players
Former players from both sides of the Ashes rivalry have voiced skepticism about England’s current preparation methods. Stokes acknowledged that conditions have evolved and that players today face different challenges compared to those of previous generations. “There are quite a few factors that go into why we can’t prepare how the ‘has-beens’ maybe prepared in the past,” he remarked.
Injury Concerns and Player Fitness
At 34, Stokes has faced several injury setbacks, including being ruled out of the final Test against India last summer. Despite this, he has maintained a rigorous training regimen, practicing at full pace for the last two months. He expressed confidence in his fitness heading into the series, saying he is in a “good place.”
With Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, sidelined due to a back injury, the fitness and performance of the participating captains will be pivotal. Stokes is determined to manage his workload carefully throughout the series, focusing on rest and recovery to ensure he can contribute effectively.
- Ben Stokes defends England’s preparation against past players’ criticism.
- Modern cricket requires different preparation strategies compared to the past.
- Stokes is committed to maintaining his fitness despite previous injuries.
- Australia’s captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Test, impacting the series dynamics.
