Ben Stokes Backs England’s Bold Ashes Preparation: “We’ll Go Balls to the Wall”
England captain Ben Stokes has hit back at critics questioning his side’s limited Ashes preparation, declaring that his team will go “balls to the wall” in their only warm-up game before the much-anticipated first Test against Australia.
England will play a three-day intra-squad match against the England Lions starting Thursday at Lilac Hill Park in Perth. The opening Test begins on 21 November at Optus Stadium, marking the start of another chapter in one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.
The decision to play just one warm-up game has drawn sharp criticism from several former England greats, including Lord Ian Botham, Michael Vaughan, and Graham Gooch. Botham branded it “bordering on arrogance”, Vaughan said it was a “huge risk”, and Gooch called it “glorified practice”.
However, Stokes has firmly defended the team’s approach, pointing out that modern cricket’s congested schedule and changing demands make lengthy pre-series tours a thing of the past.
“Cricket has changed so much,” Stokes told BBC Sport. “Preparation is nowhere near as simple as it used to be. You could come out on a tour two months before the first game started. We’ve been preparing for this tour not over the last three weeks, but putting a lot of thought and process into this for a few years now.”
He added pointedly:
“There are quite a few factors that go into why we can’t prepare how the has-beens maybe prepared in the past. It’s all changed. We’re very comfortable with how we prepare because we leave no stone unturned.”
England’s preparations under Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have followed a consistent pattern since the pair took charge in 2022. On all five of their previous overseas tours together, England have won the opening Test, a record that has strengthened their belief in this modern, minimalistic approach.
Still, it marks a stark contrast to traditional Ashes build-ups. Previous tours often featured three or more warm-up matches against local state sides — including the 2010-11 series, England’s last Ashes win in Australia, where they benefited from extended preparation and strong early performances.
But Stokes insists times have changed. The current squad has just returned from a white-ball series in New Zealand, and domestic schedules in both hemispheres have made arranging first-class opposition difficult. The Sheffield Shield season in Australia, for instance, means that top-tier local players are unavailable for warm-up matches.
On Wednesday, England held a light training session at Lilac Hill, with batters and spinners taking part while fast bowlers rested after an intense workout the day before. All 16 members of the senior Ashes squad will feature in the warm-up game, with those not part of the first XI joining the England Lions side.
The Perth tour marks the first time Stokes has spoken publicly since sustaining a shoulder injury in July. The England skipper, who missed the final Test against India due to the issue, revealed that he has been bowling at full pace for two months and feels ready to contribute as a full all-rounder again.
“That’s all I’ve been doing for the last three months: making sure I’m fit and strong,” said Stokes. “When the Test series starts, it’s about being sensible during rest periods and managing workloads. I’ve been building up to get here now.”
The 34-year-old also endorsed Ollie Pope as England’s number three batter and showed his trademark humour, joking about front-page tabloid coverage of his arrival in Perth as “unbelievable journalism.”
The upcoming series could hinge on which captain stays fit and effective throughout. Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins is set to miss the first Test due to a back injury, potentially tilting the early advantage England’s way.
For Stokes, fitness and leadership are deeply intertwined. Having missed parts of England’s last four Test series due to injuries, he’s determined to lead from the front in both spirit and performance.
“I’m in a good place,” he said. “When the 21st comes, we’ll be ready. Everyone knows what’s required — it’s all about intensity now.”
Despite external doubts, Stokes and McCullum’s England remain confident in their unconventional methods. Their attacking brand of cricket, dubbed “Bazball”, has redefined Test strategy, favouring aggression, positivity, and mental freedom over traditional conservatism.
As England gear up for their only warm-up before the Ashes, the message from the captain is clear: no half measures, no excuses.
“The next three days are balls to the wall for everyone — no easing into it,” Stokes declared. “Everyone has been preparing for this series for a long time now. Come the 21st, we will be good.”
With the first Test just days away, England’s high-octane approach will once again be put to the ultimate test — on Australian soil, under the brightest spotlight in cricket.
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