Ben Stokes hopes memories of England’s Ashes comeback in 2023 can fuel another battle Down Under.
Wednesday’s third Test at the Adelaide Oval is the first of three must-win matches for a touring side who are 2-0 down and have no room for error if they are to succeed in bringing the urn back home.
On paper it seems like an almost impossible task. The only Test team to topple such a predicament was Donald Bradman’s legendary side of 1936-37, and England are on a winless streak that stretches back 17 Tests and 15 years on Australian soil.
But Stokes’ first Ashes campaign as captain started in similar circumstances, with losses at Edgbaston and Lord’s, before an exciting turnaround in fortunes unfolded.
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Experience
Wins at Headingley and The Oval saw them level the series, while it took two days of steady rain to deny them another win at Old Trafford.
“I have full support that we can do this,” Stokes said as England completed their preparations in South Australia.
“We can draw on past experiences in this situation. We know what it’s like to be in this situation and we knew we had to come here to win this number of games no matter what.”
“In that respect it hasn’t changed from before we started. Everyone knows what needs to happen in the coming week and beyond.
“It certainly makes everything look a bit simpler and clearer for us.”
(Robbie Stephenson/PA)
To trust
England have made just one adjustment to the team that fell short at the Gabba last time, with attacking Nottinghamshire player Josh Tongue recalled in place of the out-of-control Gus Atkinson.
That means an underperforming batting line-up has been retained in its entirety, despite Joe Root being the only player with an average above 30 so far.
The selectors resisted the temptation to throw Jacob Bethell into the mix and Stokes insisted the failed top seven could justify the vote of confidence.
“I would never put it like that – you owe me, you owe us – just go out there, do what needs to be done and back yourself to do it,” he said.
“We have supported the group for a long time, not just to enjoy what this game has to offer when things go well.
“These are the moments when you trust the players you have supported to come out at times like these and deliver results.
“Those are the guys who hopefully can stand up for the team and also for the country this week.”
(PA images)
Combative spirit
Stokes has previously called on his players to prove they can handle the mental and physical challenges of touring Australia, demanding after the loss in Brisbane that the team show some fighting spirit.
And while he’d like them to show some steel, he’s not calling on them to just scavenge for scraps.
“If there’s a moment where we feel like we have to be so niggly, I’m sure it will happen and we’ll have to respond to those moments as a team,” he said.
‘But it ensures that the mind is not solely concerned with creating something like that.
“We need to remember what the real goal is this week and make sure that is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“The most important thing this week is to make sure we get the win.”
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