England are preparing for one of their toughest challenges yet—the Ashes 2025-26 in Australia—and this time, all eyes are on Ben Stokes. The prestigious five-match Test series is just days away, and England are determined to end their long series drought Down Under.
The England cricket team has not won a Test series in Australia since 2010–11. Since then, they have suffered 13 defeats and only two draws in their last 15 Test matches in Australia. The pressure is huge, but Ben Stokes is no stranger to big moments. England captain Ben Stokes has made a career of turning impossible situations into unforgettable victories.
Ben Stokes ready for Ashes 2025-26 as England chase first series win in Australia since 2011
Ben Stokes’s fitness could decide England’s fate in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia. The all-rounder is one of only three players in Test history, along with Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis, to score more than 7000 runs and take more than 200 wickets.
The England captain has been pushing himself to peak fitness, running hard, bowling long spells and spending hours in the nets. England’s opening batsman Ben Duckett said that Ben Stokes is ready to take responsibility in every department.
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Ben Stokes’ ability to consistently bowl long spells could be England’s biggest weapon and Duckett said his attacking pace and fierce competitiveness lifts the whole team.
Ben Duckett was quoted on the Willow Talk podcast, “All I can say is we’ve been here for a few days, and he’s in beast mode. He’s running, bowling two spells, and batting for two hours. The way he takes training and stuff these days is something I’ve never seen before. When he bowls he’s probably the most important guy in this side. So hopefully he gets all five Tests. Will be fit for the ODIs, and he is bowling in all of them because he is important for us.”
Ben Duckett aware of the challenge as England prepare for Australia’s lethal pace trio
Meanwhile, Australia will play without its regular Test captain Pat Cummins in the opening match due to a back problem. In Cummins’s absence, Steve Smith will lead the team, but that will not make things easy for England. Australia’s bowling attack is still world-class, comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, who can demolish any batting lineup.
England’s opening batsmen will face the tough challenge of surviving the first few spells on fast, bouncy pitches and Duckett admitted he knows touring Australia is never easy.
“You know how tough it is for the touring teams here. I’m not setting any expectations or targets for myself. I know I’m opening the batting against probably the best bowling attack in the world in their home conditions,” the explosive opening batsman said.
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He further added, “There are moments as an opening batsman; for example, it could be in Perth where we’ve got five overs to see out at the end of the day. And I did it against India last summer, where we really batted to get through it. I don’t care how many runs you’ve scored; just get there in the morning.”
Ben Duckett says England aim to take a smart and balanced approach ahead of Ashes 2025
Duckett said the team is now focused on playing smart cricket in the upcoming Ashes, adding that they want to balance their aggressive style with better decision-making to keep the pressure on Australia during the Ashes series starting in Perth from November 21.
The Englishman said his aim now is to remain patient, understand the game better and convert good innings into match-winning scores. He concluded by saying, “I think that’s where we’re trying to go now as a team, it’s not just the entertaining, sometimes reckless side.”
