Ben Stokes Urges England to ‘Create Our Own History’ Ahead of Ashes 2025 in Australia
Ben Stokes has urged his team to “create our own history” as England begin their long-awaited mission to reclaim the urn in Australia. With England having secured an Ashes series win Down Under only twice in the last 40 years, Stokes knows the enormity of the challenge—but he believes this squad has what it takes. His comments set the tone for the England Ashes 2025 preparation, where belief and ambition are driving the team forward.
Only five England sides have returned home with the Ashes since World War II. Stokes, who has played a starring role in some of the biggest Ashes moments of the modern era, insists that the next two and a half months offer a rare chance to change history. His confidence anchors the Ben Stokes Ashes leadership quotes discussed widely among fans and analysts.
"Look, coming to Australia, playing against Australia, they're a seriously good team and everyone, including myself, including the team, and all you guys know that the record of England over the history of Ashes series in Australia isn't the best. But we've got an opportunity here over the next two and a half months to write our own history," he said on the eve of the series opener in Perth.
Stokes added that England’s goal is simple: to return home in mid-January as Ashes winners. But he acknowledged the challenge ahead:
"We've obviously come here with the goal and that goal is to get on that plane mid-January, returning to England, being Ashes winners. But we know it's going to be very, very tough. It's going to be hard because beating Australia in Australia is not an easy thing."
These insights perfectly capture the tone of the England vs Australia Ashes series preview.
"It's been a big build-up, as always, every Ashes series is, whether it's in England or Australia. It's great, something that, when you're a kid, you look at and go, I'd love to be there one day," Stokes said.
He added:
"There's no doubt that we as players know how excited everyone is for the series. We know we've got quite a few English fans coming over. The Barmy Army, they go everywhere we go, but we know we've got a lot of people coming down here to support us. So, definitely over the last couple of days, even when we've got your time off and we try and get out and about, there's a lot of English people here. So, yeah, really looking forward to what kind of reception we're going to get tomorrow."
Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are considering going with an all-pace attack, which could leave Shoaib Bashir out of the XI. A positive update has emerged on Mark Wood, who was limited to eight overs in the warm-up due to fitness concerns but has now been cleared to play—an important detail in the ongoing Mark Wood fitness update Ashes discussions.
"Well, he's [Mark Wood] flying. Look, he's had all his injury troubles and all that kind of stuff. He had his knee surgery after the Champions Trophy. I know you guys say he's only bowled eight overs in the game, but he's been bowling for a long, long time. He has always been someone who can just hit the ground running in a game. And he's bowling rapid, which is good," Stokes said.
"I've come into the series fully taking on that all-rounder role with bat and ball," he said. "I've worked very, very hard to make sure when I am playing I'm able to give that full commitment to that role."
He added a statement that perfectly sums up his mindset heading into the Ashes:
"I want to eke everything out of this body I can and I will do that in an England shirt."
Only five England sides have returned home with the Ashes since World War II. Stokes, who has played a starring role in some of the biggest Ashes moments of the modern era, insists that the next two and a half months offer a rare chance to change history. His confidence anchors the Ben Stokes Ashes leadership quotes discussed widely among fans and analysts.
"Look, coming to Australia, playing against Australia, they're a seriously good team and everyone, including myself, including the team, and all you guys know that the record of England over the history of Ashes series in Australia isn't the best. But we've got an opportunity here over the next two and a half months to write our own history," he said on the eve of the series opener in Perth.
Stokes added that England’s goal is simple: to return home in mid-January as Ashes winners. But he acknowledged the challenge ahead:
"We've obviously come here with the goal and that goal is to get on that plane mid-January, returning to England, being Ashes winners. But we know it's going to be very, very tough. It's going to be hard because beating Australia in Australia is not an easy thing."
These insights perfectly capture the tone of the England vs Australia Ashes series preview.
England’s travelling support boosts Bazball spirit
This tour already feels different for England’s Bazball era. After three years of building towards this moment, the team will also have thousands of travelling supporters by their side. Covid restrictions meant England fans were largely absent during the 2021–22 series, but the strong presence this time adds a psychological edge to England’s Bazball Ashes strategy."It's been a big build-up, as always, every Ashes series is, whether it's in England or Australia. It's great, something that, when you're a kid, you look at and go, I'd love to be there one day," Stokes said.
He added:
"There's no doubt that we as players know how excited everyone is for the series. We know we've got quite a few English fans coming over. The Barmy Army, they go everywhere we go, but we know we've got a lot of people coming down here to support us. So, definitely over the last couple of days, even when we've got your time off and we try and get out and about, there's a lot of English people here. So, yeah, really looking forward to what kind of reception we're going to get tomorrow."
A golden chance in Perth with Australia missing key bowlers
England have not won a Test in Australia since that famous 2010–11 series under Andrew Strauss. But they sense an opportunity in Perth, with Australia missing star pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. This scenario shapes a crucial element of the England Ashes 2025 preparation, giving the visitors a rare opening to start strong.Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are considering going with an all-pace attack, which could leave Shoaib Bashir out of the XI. A positive update has emerged on Mark Wood, who was limited to eight overs in the warm-up due to fitness concerns but has now been cleared to play—an important detail in the ongoing Mark Wood fitness update Ashes discussions.
"Well, he's [Mark Wood] flying. Look, he's had all his injury troubles and all that kind of stuff. He had his knee surgery after the Champions Trophy. I know you guys say he's only bowled eight overs in the game, but he's been bowling for a long, long time. He has always been someone who can just hit the ground running in a game. And he's bowling rapid, which is good," Stokes said.
Ben Stokes returns to full all-rounder duties
Stokes is also returning to full all-rounder responsibilities after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Test against India at The Oval. His dual role with bat and ball is central to England’s balance and an essential aspect of the England Bazball Ashes strategy."I've come into the series fully taking on that all-rounder role with bat and ball," he said. "I've worked very, very hard to make sure when I am playing I'm able to give that full commitment to that role."
He added a statement that perfectly sums up his mindset heading into the Ashes:
"I want to eke everything out of this body I can and I will do that in an England shirt."
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