England's cricket captain, Ben Stokes, has issued a clarion call for increased fight and aggression from his team ahead of the pivotal third Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide. This urgent demand comes after frank and intense discussions within the squad following two consecutive heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane.
Backs to the Wall in Adelaide
The situation for the tourists is stark. England must win the match at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday to prevent Australia from retaining the Ashes urn and to keep the five-match series alive. The team has made one change to its lineup, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson, while Will Jacks retains his spot. England's struggles on Australian soil are well-documented, as they are currently enduring a daunting 17-match winless streak in the country.
Stokes addressed the media after a period of reflection following the eight-wicket loss at the Gabba, where he had famously remarked that Australia was "no place for weak men." He indicated that the talking phase is now over. "What's been said has been said. I've done all the talking over the last two days that I needed to. All that stuff's done now, so it's about what gets seen out on the field in Adelaide this week," Stokes stated firmly.
The 'Dog' and Determination Stokes Wants
The 34-year-old all-rounder, recently hailed by former skipper Alastair Cook as "the most competitive person I've ever come across," elaborated on the specific mentality he expects from his players. For Stokes, it boils down to raw fighting spirit, which he colloquially terms "dog."
"It's just about trying to fight in every situation that you find yourself in, understanding the situation and what you feel is required for your team," Stokes explained. "Just look at your opposition every single time and show a bit of dog. That's fight to me. You're giving yourself the best possible chance if you've got a bit of dog in you."
He pointed to a recent triumph as the blueprint for the required attitude: England's remarkable third Test victory against India at Lord's in July. "That's exactly what I'm on about. We were probably in a situation where we would have to be absolutely perfect to win that game and we were. The attitude and the mentality towards that specific situation is what gave us the best chance," Stokes recalled.
Newcomers Baptised by Fire, Says Stokes
The England team has faced a baptism by fire in Australia, dealing with intense media scrutiny and hostile crowds. Stokes acknowledged that this environment has been a significant challenge, especially for the many newcomers in the squad, as only five players had previous Ashes experience in Australia.
However, he believes the difficult initiation is now behind them. "Honestly, I think so. Now I feel everyone has experienced that and probably at its highest level, so we all know what it's going to be like," Stokes said. "So for the next three games there isn't going to be any of that 'I didn't expect this' or 'it's the first time I've had this.'"
The captain expressed satisfaction with the team's response to his demands in the lead-up to the Adelaide Test. "It goes one or two ways, and the response that the whole group has shown as a collective has been exactly what I wanted. And we're going into this week with full understanding of what we need to do. I think the team is very, very understanding of some of the bits that I've raised in the dressing room," Stokes concluded, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
