We’re a team who are obviously willing to put ourselves out there and do things against the narrative: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Cricket Australia)

England skipper Ben Stokes reckoned that his team is willing to go against the narrative after going 2-0 down in the ongoing Ashes series. Notably, the home team suffered a 43-run defeat against the Pat Cummins-led side in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Sunday, July 2.

Stokes stated that it is truly fascinating to know the manner they are playing cricket and could not be more appropriate for the trouble they are in.

“It’s actually very exciting to know that the way in which we are playing our cricket couldn’t be more perfect for the situation we find ourselves in,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

With England now needing to win the remaining three matches to take back the urn from Australia, Stokes stated that they are a team that is clearly prepared to put themselves out there and do things against their portrayal. The 32-year-old noted that the last three games represent an even better chance than they have ever had.

“We have to win these three games to get this urn back. We’re a team who are obviously willing to put ourselves out there and do things against the narrative. Now, these three games are an even better opportunity for us than we’ve ever found ourselves in before,” he added.

Stokes recalls his batting exploits at Headingley in 2019

The English skipper’s spectacular assault at Lord’s was reminiscent of his batting feats in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final and followed it up with a remarkable 135 not out in a thrilling Test at Headingley. He recalled those two innings, claiming that he was able to benefit from it, notably from Headingley, and thought of approaching the second innings similarly.

“Being in those two games, I was able to take experiences from those two innings, particularly from Headingley. Just sort of going about it in a similar way, look to take my boundary options and also try and get some twos and get off strike towards the back end of the over,” Stokes added.

Ben Stokes went on to say that he struggled on Day 5 while locating the spaces for the twos and that the fields set by Pat Cummins were difficult to push the twos. He added that he took some risks, pretending no one was there at the boundary and trying to go over them. Notably, in his 214-ball 155-run second innings knock at Lord’s, he smashed nine boundaries and as many maximums.

“The one thing I did find hard today was finding the gaps for the twos, the fields that Pat (Cummins) was setting were quite hard to push the twos, I think I only got two away. Obviously, I had to take some huge risks at times because everyone was on the boundary so I just had to imagine there wasn’t anyone there and try to go over the top of them,” the English skipper concluded.