Stokes Urges England to Unleash 'The Dog' to Turn the Ashes Around

England is currently reeling with back-to-back losses in the Ashes, and things are expected to become more difficult for them in the upcoming matches. To counter the growing challenge, Ben Stokes has urged the team to unleash their fire in the Adelaide test. He wants the players to play with full intensity in the next match, so that they can find some chance against Australia in the series.  

Speaking to the reporters, Ben Stokes said that England needs to show fight to remain alive in the series. He doesn’t mind how different people will interpret this word according to their own choice, as he fully understands the context in which he wants to deliver a message.  

"What it [fight] means to me could be completely different to someone else. It's just trying to fight in every situation that you find yourself in and understanding the situation and what you feel is required for your team. Just look at your opposition every single time and show a bit of dog. That's fight to me.” said Ben Stokes while talking to the reporters.

"It comes a lot easier to me, it might be a lot harder for other people because of their personalities or whatever that may be. I'm not going to expect or ask a completely different character to me to carry on like me. That's like asking me to carry on like someone like Jamie Smith, who's a lot more laid back. It just wouldn't work. However, you find the best way to find that mode that I'm talking about, that's probably the best way to explain it." added Ben Stokes.

He then explained what he meant by “fight” or showing resistance in tough situations like the current one. He cited his seventh-wicket stand with Will Jacks on the morning of the final day of the second Test as an example. It was indeed a great display of fight, showcasing the determination and fire in the belly of the England players.

"I could have gone out there on that morning session in Brisbane and nicked off first ball, but going out there with that mentality and that mindset is what fight is to me.” said Ben Stokes.

He said players going to the field with that particular mindset are fighters, as they have the motive to challenge the opposition in all sorts of conditions.

"As long as you go out there and everyone is in that mindset around the situation and what is needed, you're giving yourself the best possible chance if you've got a bit of dog in you." said Ben Stokes.

England Ready to Take on the Challenge

The England captain then described the energy of the team, saying that everyone is ready to take on the challenge in the coming days. He added that his talks with the team are now over, and the time to perform on the field has arrived.

"I've done all the talking over the last two days that I needed to have done. All that stuff's done now, so it's about what gets seen out on the field in Adelaide this week.” said Ben Stokes.

"Everyone's very switched on for what needs to be done this week. Yeah, a few more expectations, I think, around the group, but everyone responded incredibly well to it. Because what other option do we have?" concluded Ben Stokes.

Keeping in view the current scenario, Stokes expects England to counter Australia’s plan in a more aggressive manner. But to do that, they need to showcase some fire, which is exactly what Stokes wants. It would be therefore interesting to see how England will come up against Australia, as they need to prove a lot of people wrong who are doubting their abilities currently.