Ben Stokes says England will not change their style of attack against Australia in the Ashes this summer.
England have won 10 out of 12 Tests under captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, who played a bold and fearless brand of cricket.
This approach also includes trying to force a result even if it risks defeat – something that will continue against Australia.
“I wouldn’t change anything because it’s the Ashes,” Stokes said.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes added: “Every game I play in this Ashes is about forcing a result and it doesn’t matter what the score is, what the situation is. That’s not going to change. It’s just me. Not to be true.
“Every player knows that the Ashes is where everything gets a little bit higher, from the pressure to the exposure, but we’ll stick to what we do.
“I’ve been around for a long time, so has Baz [McCollum] and our senior players to make sure those little things don’t seep into the dressing room.”
Stokes says he has asked the five Test venues to develop “fast, flat wickets” that suit England’s batsmen, who play very aggressively and quickly to put the opposition under pressure. Want to score early.
“We’ve been clear with the ground staff around the country about what we want and they’ve been really good,” said the Durham all-rounder. “We want fast, flat wickets because we want to score quickly and get their guys into the game as well.”
Stokes says the attacking style extends to the bowlers too, with veteran pace duo Stuart Broad, 36, and James Anderson, 40, buying into the philosophy.
Stokes, who played 91 Tests for England, said that Jimmy and Brady were defenders of their economy rate and they hated scoring runs, they liked to tie the batsmen up and get them out, but now they do it a little differently. I have started watching, who has played 91 Tests for England. .
“Both of them, who are very skilled and have taken so many wickets between them, now they have that mindset and if Australia start to get us back in the attack, it will be good for us going forward.”
Stokes bowling ‘pain free’
Stokes says he is bowling “pain-free” as he manages a long-term knee problem, but will not take any chances with his fitness until the Ashes.
The 31-year-old received an injection in his left knee last month before leaving to represent Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
He was initially expected to play as a specialist batsman for the early stages of the tournament but managed to bowl an over against Lucknow Supergiants last week.
“It’s been a very frustrating year trying to manage this knee problem and not bowl too much,” he said. “I’ve worked so hard over the last five weeks to get here. To be able to bowl pain-free – touchwood – has been great.
“Everything is going well and I’m taking it step by step and not rushing into things because my top priority is to make sure I can be the fourth seamer in the Ashes.”
