It is absolutely safe to assert that Ben Stokes is the “X factor” of the England side for the upcoming Ashes series. The all rounder made a sensational comeback for England in the Caribbean and looked in great nick against the visiting Kiwis. His knocks at Lord’s in both the innings proved that he has the potential to excel massively. To encourage him further, Andrew Flintoff, the hero of the 2005 Ashes series said that Stokes was more talented than him.
Stokes has time and again said that aggression gets him going in full flow. The Australians too have made up their mind to target the aggression of Ben Stokes. Mitchell Johnson recently commented that Stokes would be targeted by the Australians.
Stokes however, remains clear and is ready to take on the Australian challenge. “I’m definitely expecting there to be a few feuds out on the pitch, but I’m not one to go looking for it and cause an argument,” Stokes said. “If anyone comes at you in the heat of the moment, with the adrenalin going, I don’t think anyone in our squad will shy away. We have different ways of handling it, some turn their backs and walk away but I’m sort of the other way – look them in the eye and probably say something.”
“I’m not sure cool and calculated is the right way to describe my batting, but my emotions certainly do come out when I’m bowling – there’s a lot more adrenalin involved compared to batting. If there are any incidents it will probably be when I have the ball in hand. It’s definitely a strength of mine, you are in a battle and you don’t want to be losing. I don’t want to take a backward step and let them think they are on top,” said Stokes. “You know that if you chose to pick a battle you have the other 10 guys backing you. That doesn’t mean I’m going to start throwing punches, but you know your team-mates will back you.”
Stokes also spoke about the Ashes and the expectations he had from the series. “I’ve not really thought about anything like that to be honest. We know how big the Ashes is: I was part of one in Australia and on the receiving end of a few mad Aussies when walking around the street. But we are in England now and have the support of the nation for seven weeks. It will be a bit different for Australia,” concluded Stokes.