Stokes Sets Fierce Tone for England’s Ashes Prep in Perth

England captain Ben Stokes has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the Ashes. His message to teammates is clear, no holding back. He said, "balls to the wall" means to show full potential.  The upcoming three-day England Ashes warm-up match against the Lions should set the tone firm and unmistakable. 

He’s missed months with a shoulder injury, yet here he is, bowling at full tilt again. Stokes looked refreshed in training, pounding the turf at Lilac Hill under the bright Perth sun. 

Many doubted if Stokes would be fully fit in time, but he’s spent weeks proving otherwise. “I’ve been bowling flat out for two months,” he told reporters. “It was tough getting back, but once the rehab started, I hit the ground running.”

The England skipper’s workload is heavy: batting, bowling, and leading. It’s a demanding role, and he knows it. He shrugged off questions about his fitness with typical grit. “Injuries happen. You deal with them. You move on.”

Fans watching from the rope could tell he meant it. Every delivery thudded into the keeper’s gloves with intent. Every fielding drill had urgency. Honestly, the energy looked different.

The match itself starts Thursday, an England vs England Lions contest where players will fight for rhythm and places. Stokes wants it intense. “Next few days are balls to the wall for everyone,” he said. “No easing in. It’ll be a proper run-out.”

He’s not joking. With the first Test just nine days away, there’s little room for half measures. Players know this is their only real chance to adjust to Australian pitches before the main event begins.

There’s also quite excitement around the return of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Both express pace. Both game-changers when fit. “It’s great having Jof and Woody back,” Stokes said. “They’ve been steaming in at training. Jof’s been managed really well and looks in a great place.”

England needs that firepower. The Optus surface in Perth is expected to be ruthless, and the sight of Wood and Archer charging in again has fans hopeful. Fans also believe that if those two stay fit, this Ashes could look very different.

Meanwhile, Ollie Pope’s position at No. 3 appears settled. Stokes played coy but hinted at stability. “Popey’s done a great job. We’ve been consistent with our selections,” he said, before adding, “a lot can happen in nine days.” That’s Stokes, cautious yet quietly confident.

What really stands out this week is the atmosphere. Perth feels alive again with cricket noise. The ground hums when the ball hits the bat, and every session seems to draw a bigger crowd. When Stokes arrived on Monday, local media branded him “cocky captain” on front pages. He just laughed it off. “That’s part of being here,” he said. “Australia loves that stuff. You take it, and you move on. Especially for some of the guys who are here for the first time, just letting them know that's what it is going to be like.”

Still, he knows the weight this series carries. It’s not just another campaign. It’s legacy territory. “I’d love to go home and say I helped us win the Ashes in Australia,” he admitted. You could tell he meant every word.

And that’s the thing about Stokes. He doesn’t just lead with words. He sets a tone. You could feel it on that training ground: hunger, belief, and a little defiance, too. Few saw this coming, but England suddenly looks fired up again.