Ben Stokes Reflects on England's Comeback Potential in Ashes Series

Stokes Remembers England's Past Resilience

Adelaide [Australia], December 16: Ben Stokes has highlighted England's remarkable recovery during the recent Ashes series at home in 2023, as he aims to guide his team out of a 2-0 deficit in their current series against Australia.

As England prepares for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, starting Wednesday, they must secure victories in the remaining three matches to have any hope of reclaiming the coveted urn.

Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Stokes remains optimistic, believing that the situation is straightforward with three games left to play.

He reminisced about their comeback on home turf in 2023, where they faced a similar 2-0 deficit but managed to win in Leeds and The Oval, leveling the series at 2-2.

"We can draw on our past experiences in this position. We understand what it takes to be in this scenario. We knew we had to win a certain number of games here, and that hasn't changed since the beginning. Everyone is aware of what needs to happen in the upcoming weeks, which actually simplifies things for us. I have complete confidence that we can achieve this," Stokes stated, as reported by a sports media outlet.

For England to bounce back in the series, they will require improved performances from all players, particularly their top six batters, who have struggled to find their rhythm in the first two matches.

Currently, Joe Root, the No. 1-ranked Test batter, is the only player from the touring squad to have scored a century in this series, while Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, and Stokes himself have each managed just a half-century across four innings.

However, Stokes is confident that his batters will regain their form in Adelaide, citing their historical performance under his leadership as a source of strength.

"We have consistently supported this group over time to not only enjoy the game when things are going well but also to rise to the occasion during challenging times. These are the moments when the players we trust need to step up for the team and the country. I wouldn't frame it as 'you owe me'—just go out there, do what needs to be done, and believe in yourself," Stokes concluded.

Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.