Ben Stokes delivered a clear message to his England side at Headingley: winning is the goal. As they prepare for the first Test against India this Friday, Stokes urged his team to show they can handle pressure and pair resilience with their aggressive style. He aims to elevate England’s performance.
Since taking over from Joe Root, Stokes’s England have won 23 and lost 12 Tests. Now, they face a pivotal seven months with series against India and Australia. Under Stokes, England has become the world’s quickest-scoring team, marking memorable wins. However, Stokes insists they must demonstrate grit when under pressure.
“We have a team identity in how we approach the game,” Stokes told the BBC. “We’ve had discussions, recognised our strengths, and pinpointed areas for improvement. We need to adapt better when things aren’t going our way.”
Stokes acknowledges England’s strength when ahead but admits they’ve struggled to bounce back when trailing. “We haven’t maximised opportunities to regain momentum, and addressing this is crucial for our team’s aspirations,” he noted.
While enthusiasm remains vital, winning is the ultimate aim. Stokes stated, “An exciting style is important, but it’s about winning, which also translates to playing entertaining cricket.”
England’s recent heavy Test losses, including a 423-run defeat in Hamilton and significant losses to India, highlight the need for smarter decision-making. Stokes emphasised the importance of enduring pressure. “Being smarter when the opponent dominates is essential,” he said. “Our focus is on soaking up pressure to create chances to strike back.”
Facing past defeats with reflection, Stokes believes, is key. “Reflecting and having honest team discussions can elevate us to the next level,” he added.
Ben Stokes remains focused, highlighting a shift in mindset: “It’s not that we never wanted to win every game, but it’s about changing our communication.”
