Ben Stokes is Ready to Start an Attack on Australia For England

When Australia comes to England for the Ashes, England’s captain wants to add a new threat to the bold game plan that has helped his team win 10 of the last 12 Tests.

When the Ashes start on June 16, England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, will switch to bowling and support England’s powerful hitting, which has done so well under his leadership.

Since Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum started leading the team last year using a strategy called “Bazball,” England has scored 4.76 runs per over in Tests.

Stokes now wants England to go after their fierce enemies Australia with fast bowlers, even in conditions that usually favour seamers. He also said he already has a team in mind.

“I think I know who will be in the starting XI, or close to it,” Stokes told Sky Sports.

“Any captain wants to be able to bowl faster than 90 mph. When that first Test comes up, I’ll make sure to pick the best team for that first game.

“We’ve made it clear to the ground staff in England, especially, what kind of wickets we want, and they’ve listened. We want fast tracks that are flat.”

When the Ashes series starts at Edgbaston, England will hope to use fast bowler Jofra Archer. Mark Wood and Olly Stone are also fast bowlers England can use.

Archer had a great first Test match when Australia was in England in 2019, but injuries have kept him from playing more than 13 red-ball games.

The right-handed fast bowler just came back from an 18-month break because of an elbow injury, but he has only played once for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League because there are still questions about his health.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad have scared Australia at home before, and they could play a key role again if England’s new game plan works in the Ashes.

“Jimmy and Broad were so protective of their economy rates, but now they see a different side of it,” Stokes said.

“Having those two who think it’s okay to go for runs will help us if Australia comes back at us.”

Stokes has also missed IPL games for Mumbai Indians because he is having trouble with his left knee.

The 31-year-old all-rounder has taken 194 wickets in Tests and is sure he can get over the pain to help the fast bowlers as England tries to win back the Ashes from Australia.

Stokes said, “I’ve worked so hard over the past month and a half to get where I am now.”

“It’s been good to be able to bowl without pain, so far. I gave up 18 runs, but I thought, “Hey, I got through an over without my knee hurting.”

“The most important thing for me is to be able to do my job as fourth seamer in the Ashes.”

The next ICC World Test Championship season will include the five Tests that make up the Ashes series.

In the final of the current WTC season, Australia will play India at the Oval on June 7, and England will play Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord’s starting on June 1.