Ben Stokes says England can rewrite Ashes history in Australia
Ben Stokes acknowledged on Thursday that overcoming Australia will be a stern challenge, yet the England captain believes his team has a real chance to reshape Ashes history.
England has not won a Test series in Australia since 2010-11 and has lost 13 of 15 Tests there since. Still, Stokes argued that the opening Test in Perth offers an opening, especially with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out. Their absence leaves Australia without its two senior fast bowlers.
“Playing Australia in Australia is always tough. They are a seriously good side and everyone knows our record here has not been great,” Stokes said. “But we have an opportunity over the next two and a half months to write our own history. The goal is simple: get on the plane in mid-January as Ashes winners.”
England has named a 12-man squad for the first Test and will confirm its final XI at the toss. Much depends on Mark Wood, who bowled only eight overs in the warm-up match before scans on a minor hamstring issue. Although he has played little cricket since knee surgery earlier this year, Stokes insisted the 35-year-old is ready.
“He has been bowling for a long time and he can hit the ground running. He is bowling rapidly, which is good to see,” Stokes said.
If Wood is cleared, England could field a four-man pace attack of Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, though Shoaib Bashir remains an option. Bashir’s outing for the England Lions last week, Stokes added, was intentional to give him more bowling time.
After Perth, the Ashes series continues in Brisbane, then moves to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Nov 20, 2025
