The Ashes is back, and the anticipation is palpable. As the cricketing world counts down the hours to the opening Test in Perth, England captain Ben Stokes is preparing to lead his side into a battle steeped in history, pride, and immense expectation. The match begins tomorrow at 8:20 am Bangladesh time, and all eyes will be on the unfolding drama.
For England, the challenge could hardly be more daunting. The record Down Under has been brutally unkind: a combined 13–0 defeat across the last three Ashes series on Australian soil. This dominance by the hosts underscores the formidable task awaiting Stokes and his men. Yet, rather than shrinking from the challenge, Stokes is embracing it.
“To come home as one of the very few England captains to win in Australia—that would be incredibly special,” he said in a pre-series press conference. “I understand the enormity of this series, but my approach won’t change. My focus remains the same as it does for every tour.”
England last tasted Ashes glory in Australia under Sir Andrew Strauss in 2010–11, when they claimed a memorable 3–1 victory. Now, fifteen years later, Stokes is determined to join the elite ranks of England captains who have triumphed Down Under. He hopes not only to win the series but also to reclaim the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since Ray Illingworth. Additionally, this could mark his first five-match series win as captain.
While England have struggled in recent years—even at home, where their 3–2 win in 2015 remains the last series victory—the Australians enter the contest slightly weakened. Captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Test due to injury, as will frontline paceman Josh Hazlewood. This opens a small window of opportunity for Stokes’ side.
Stokes has built his captaincy around protecting his players from undue pressure, and he intends to maintain that philosophy. England have announced a 12-man squad for the opener, striking a careful balance between experience and form. Five players, including Stokes, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Mark Wood, and Ollie Pope, have Ashes experience in Australia, providing crucial guidance to the rest of the squad.
But as Stokes candidly admits, no amount of preparation can fully convey the enormity of the Ashes once the battle begins. “The emotions, the pressure, the expectations—everyone knows how enormous this series is,” he said. “Pretending it’s just another tour would be fooling ourselves. We have to face it head-on and play without fear.”
Victory in the Ashes is unlike any other achievement in cricket. While some speak of “immortality,” Stokes offered a wry reminder of life’s realities: “Immortality? We can’t be immortal—we’re all going to die at some point, aren’t we?”
As the clock ticks down to the first ball in Perth, England’s mission is clear: confront history, embrace the pressure, and strive to achieve what so few have managed before. Only the bold and the brave will etch their names in Ashes legend, and Stokes is determined to be among them.